Press Release - Joint Statement - Senator Helen Coonan and Dr Kerryn Phelps [30/04/2002]
C39/02
30 April 2002
JOINT STATEMENT
Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen Coonan
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps
Following a meeting in Sydney today between Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen
Coonan, AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, senior advisers to the Prime Minister,
and representative of United Medical Protection, the following actions have
been agreed.
- The directors of UMP/AMIL will seek the appointment of a provisional liquidator
through the courts.
- The Government and the AMA will work with the provisional liquidator, if
appointed, to explore alternatives regarding the future of United Medical
Protection (UMP).
- It has been agreed that full liquidation of UMP may not be inevitable,
subject to exploring options to keep the UMP group intact.
- The Commonwealth has agreed to give priority to the development of a national
scheme for the care and rehabilitation of severely injured patients.
- The Commonwealth, in consultation with the AMA, will draft legislation
that will guarantee the short-term security of claims incurred from Monday
29 April until Sunday 30 June 2002. This legislation will be presented to
Parliament before the end of June.
- An outstanding issue of concern from today's meeting remains what happens
with the so-called `tail' - past claims. This issue will be addressed at the
earliest opportunity following the appointment of the provisional liquidator.
- The Commonwealth and the AMA will meet with the provisional liquidator
in the next few days following the liquidator's initial assessment of UMP
to further progress today's outcomes.
- The AMA welcomes the Government's commitment to legislation to provide
short term security for doctors insured by UMP to continue working until June
30.
SYDNEY
Contacts:
AMA: John Flannery, 0419 494 761