THIS ISSUE - AMA Tasmania

THIS ISSUE 

President's Report 

Branch Council 2007/2008 

Patient Assisted Travel 

Schemes 

News from State Office 

Dr Patrick Fernando 

- Obituary 

Tas TasTalk 

Magazine of the Tasmanian Branch of the AMA 

Senator Eric Abetz presenting Carmel and Rodney with their BESB (Succession Planning) certifi cate. 

Craigow - A Successful Experience 

Dean's Desk 

Andrew Jones - Canada & Alaska 

Member Services 

Davey & Scurrah - Insurance 

in Superannuation 

All political comment contained in this publication is authorised by R Cameron-Tucker, Chief Executive Offi cer of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian 

Medical Association. Views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Medical Association. 

News from RHH 

Research Foundation 

experien - Home Loans 

Workplace Relations 

Succession Planning 

147 Davey Street, 

Hobart, TAS 7000 

P: (03) 6223 2047 

F: (03) 6223 6469 

ama@amatas.com.au 

www.amatas.com.au 

AUGUST 2007

Join medical practices nationally 

receiving supported training and give 

your staff the recognition they deserve 

Certificate II and Certificate 

III in Health Support Services 

provides your staff, from 

medical receptionist through 

to the practice manager (both 

existing and new employees, 

including jobseekers) with the 

skills to perform effectively 

to meet the needs and 

complexities of modern 

medical practice. 

* Employee eligibility is determined by 

an Australian Apprenticeship Centre 

Benefits: 

• Flexible training options – 

at the practice or off site 

• Contemporary Health Industry 

study materials 

• On the job skills development 

with optional seminars 

• Recognition of Prior Learning 

• Work Skills Voucher programme 

funding available for eligible 

employees. 

• Australian Apprenticeship 

incentives available for eligible 

new and existing employees* 

HealthTrainingSolutions 

Study Modules include: 

• patient records 

• medical accounts 

• infection control 

• senior first aid 

• confidentiality & privacy 

Course assistance is available 

for eligible participants. 

To express your interest telephone 

Carmel on 6223 2047, 

email amatas@esset.com.au or view the 

website at www.healthtraining.com.au

PRESIDENTS PAGE 

The last two months have been very busy 

and very rewarding. The two burning public 

issues for the AMA are the Futures Health 

vision and the Pulp Mill. 

The Future Health vision is now three 

months old and the AMA is waiting for the 

implementation plans for both primary and 

acute care reform. We have made it very clear 

to Government that we support the vision; 

however, the real test is how the process to 

achieve the vision is change managed without 

causing undue pain for our members. Recent 

media comments about the AMA members 

at the Mersey highlights how impacts of 

planned or unplanned events can quickly 

escalate and adversely affect members. Some 

have the view that Mersey doctors do want 

Professor Haydn Walters 

changes however my discussions with the 

NW division members are that they support 

the changes in the Future Health vision. Their 

concerns, and those of all staff at the Mersey, 

surround the precipitous rate of change and 

the consequent insecurity that arises. The real 

issue for the AMA is that if the Mersey is the 

glimpse of the change management style to 

be applied elsewhere then we should all be 

very concerned. 

The AMA September 2006 position on 

the Pulp Mill has been widely quoted and 

reported on by the media. The AMA was 

recently supplied with additional information 

on the mill and its effects by the proponent. 

The additional data has given clarity to 

address some of our concerns however it has 

not changed our position. Our sound position 

was reported recently in the Four Corners 

program on the Pulp Mill. 

We recently hosted the national Council of 

Doctors in Training meeting. Federal President 

Rosanna Capolingua and Vice President Gary 

Speck attended the meeting. The successful 

meeting was held in the conference facility 

at “Liverpools” theatre restaurant. Feedback 

from all involved was very positive. 

Our next Ministerial Liaison meeting will be 

on the 9th August. We will be addressing 

your issues and concerns with the minister and 

her staff. 

AMA Tasmania Branch Council 

BRANCH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES 2007/2008 

President .............................................................................................................................................................................. Professor Haydn Walters 

Honorary Treasurer ............................................................................................................................................................................. Dr David Reid 

Honorary Medical Secretary ................................................................................................................................. Professor Ray Lowenthal 

Southern Division Representatives ................................................................................................... Dr John Burgess, Dr David Stary 

Northern Division Representatives ......... Dr Chris Middleton, Dr Ashok Saha, Dr Don Rose, Dr Andrew Jackson 

North West Division Representatives ........................................................................... Dr Mohammad Ashrafi , Dr Roger Watts 

University Representative .................................................................................................................................................... Professor Janet Vial 

Junior Doctor Representative ....................................................................................................................................... Dr Leigh Dahlenburg 

Medical Student Representative ......................................................................................................................................... Ms Rachel Nimmo 

Area Federal Representative ................................................................................................................................................... Dr Michael Aizen 

TASTalk AUGUST 2007 

3

SUBMISSION TO SENATE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 

Inquiry into the Operation and Effectiveness of 

Patient Assisted Travel Schemes 

The Tasmanian Branch of the Australian 

Medical Association welcomes the opportunity 

to lodge a submission to your committee 

re the effectiveness of the Patient Assisted 

Travel Schemes. Our organisation believes the 

schemes across Australia are grossly under 

funded, poorly administered and do not 

adequately address the extra costs those in 

rural and remote areas face when accessing 

more specialised care. 

Introduction 

When comparing the schemes run by each 

State Government the only consistent feature 

is the low fi nancial subsidy available. Defi nitions 

of who is disadvantaged and able to get a higher 

subsidy vary widely from State to State. Distances 

needed to travel to access the schemes also 

vary widely across the States. The process to 

lodge a claim is complicated in all States and, 

as most encourage retrospective claims, the 

claimant is initially out of pocket which has the 

potential to produce fi nancial hardship. 

Tasmanian Situation 

The Tasmanian Patient Travel Assistance 

Scheme has particular and unique problems 

that are of concern to our organisation. 

In Tasmania the full subsidy is only available 

to Health Care Card holders and pensioners. 

In some other States children and holders of 

the Seniors Health Care Card also receive the 

full subsidy. 

At times it is necessary for patients in Tasmania 

to travel to the mainland, usually Victoria, to 

access certain highly specialised services. 

Tasmania’s claiming process for such trips 

would appear to be the most diffi cult of all 

States. Although not in the offi cial guidelines1 it has become standard practice for claimants 

to have to provide a new referral for each 

visit to their specialist service interstate. This 

is regardless of the frequency or obvious need 

for the return trips. To add to this requirement 

Tasmania has the diffi cult requirement of 

only allowing Specialists and rural General 

Practitioners to provide the referrals. 

Numerous examples are available of Specialists 

refusing to fi ll in referral forms for subsequent 

4 TASTalk AUGUST 2007 

trips without reviewing the patient then not 

having an appointment available for the patient 

to be reviewed. Added to this is the cost of 

being reviewed by a Specialist for what is 

often only a form fi lling exercise. Quite clearly 

a patient’s regular General Practitioner is more 

accessible and more likely to be reviewing the 

patient between Specialist service visits and 

should be able to assist with the paperwork. 

Tasmania, as with some other States, should 

allow referrals to be valid for a set period of 

time (eg one year) or for a block of visits and 

abandon the onerous requirement of a new 

referral for every follow-up visit. 

As with most States the schemes are usually 

administered at a hospital level with each of 

the major hospitals having a local “medical 

authoriser” to approve funding. Anecdotal 

evidence is that decisions about funding are 

very subjective and lack consistency between 

hospitals and between regions in Tasmania. 

This is a major issue for those claiming 

retrospectively as they cannot be certain their 

claim will always be successful. Peculiar decisions 

are made where a fl ight from Tasmania to the 

mainland will be funded (varies from $50- 

$150) but the cost of the trip from the airport 

to the Specialist Service (approx $45) may 

or may not be covered depending on who 

is assessing the claim. There is a complicated 

complaint process available but as the amounts 

refunded are often relatively small it would be 

surprising if many claimants bothered to take 

up this option. 

In Tasmania there is minimal co-ordination 

between the State funded Patient Travel 

Assistance Scheme and the various transport and 

accommodation services offered by charitable 

and volunteer organisations. It is up to the 

individual patient to unravel the various schemes 

they can access and there is evidence that many 

patients never become aware of the assistance 

that may have been available to them. 

Our organisation believes that above all the 

above problems the major fl aw of the scheme 

in Tasmania and across Australia is the low 

subsidy available. Thirty dollars to cover a night’s 

accommodation is denying reality. No meal 

subsidy for patients and carers forced to live 

away from home for sometimes long periods 

is unreasonable. This is an equity issue. If a 

patient cannot access a service locally and has 

been referred to a service in another centre or 

State it is the belief of our organisation that all 

their additional costs should be met. At a time 

when Tasmania is about to undergo a major 

restructure of its health system and centralise 

more services the need for a fully subsidised 

travel assistance has become more essential. 

Conclusion 

It is the view of the Tasmanian branch of the 

Australian Medical Association that: 

1) The current Patient Assisted Travel 

Schemes are under funded Australia wide 

and need additional State and Federal 

funding. 

2) The inconsistencies between States need 

to be addressed and uniform guidelines 

are needed to ensure access to medical 

services across the country become 

available to all Australians without 

additional cost because of where they live. 

3) Tasmania’s Patient Travel Assistance 

Scheme needs to be reviewed and more 

explicit guidelines developed so the 

regional inconsistencies are removed and 

the current complicated referral process 

is simplifi ed to include a patient’s regular 

General Practitioner. 

4) All the additional transport, accommodation 

and meal costs that arise from a patient 

being referred to a distant centre for 

treatment should be met by the referring 

hospital. 

5) The administration of the schemes become 

more user friendly by offering a simpler 

claim process, upfront fi nancial assistance 

and better co-ordination between the 

various organisations that offer assistance 

with transport and accommodation. 

It is worth making the observation that if 

our politicians and bureaucrats had the same 

miserly travel assistance scheme offered to the 

sick there would be an outcry. 

1 Department of Health and Human Services, Hospital and Ambulance 

Services - Policy No. 5/99 Patient Travel Assistance Scheme, Version 2 

(as at 24 April 2001)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT 

News From State Offi ce 

The old adage that a week is a lifetime in 

politics is so true. AMA Tasmania is at the 

centre of two issues of national media focus. 

The AMA’s position on the proposed pulp mill 

has been widely reported and the President 

was a focus of the recent Four Corners 

program dedicated to the issue. The Prime 

Minster’s announcement to fund the Mersey 

Hospital on a trial basis and the AMA Tasmania 

response has been widely reported. With a 

Federal Election not too far away the State 

Offi ce and Branch Council will be busy with 

media and lobbying on your behalf. 

One of the consequences of the Federal 

Government’s Mersey decision is that 

$45 million becomes freed up within the 

Tasmanian health budget. Whilst supporting 

the Future Health vision our criticism has 

been on the unplanned implementation 

process and the rush to close services to save 

money. The release of funds now reduces the 

Governments imperative to close services 

and now allows the proper resourcing of 

identifi ed service gaps in our health system. 

We will continue to monitor the progress and 

implementation of the plan and remind the 

government of its obligations to our members 

and their patients to provide and adequately 

fund a quality, sustainable health system. 

Dr Don Rose has made representation 

on your behalf to the Senate inquiry into 

operation and effectiveness of patient assisted 

travel schemes. The outcome of the ongoing 

enquiry will be reported. Our thanks to Dr 

Rose for his insight and determination in 

addressing Tasmanian concerns on this issue. 

We recently hosted the Doctors in Training 

national meeting. The meeting was enjoyable 

and the junior doctors had great fun. I would 

like to recognise Carmel’s effort in making the 

weekend a huge success. Our reputation for 

a conference destination grows and we are 

now looking forward to working with Federal 

AMA to make the 2008 national conference 

in Hobart a success. 

On the business side we continue to develop 

relationships with a whole range of businesses 

to provide quality services to our members. 

We are pleased that our partnership with 

Esset Australia has now grown to include a 

full suite of training opportunities under the 

banner of Health Training Solutions. Please 

see our promotion in this issue. We have also 

gained Federal funding to professionally assist 

members in preparing their medical businesses 

for sale, amalgamation, growth or closure. 

If you require more information on any of the 

products or services offered by please do not 

hesitate to call Carmel on 6223 2047. 

We will continue to seek relevant opportunities 

for our members. Your feedback on current 

benefi ts and services is always welcome as are 

suggestions for benefi ts and services that we 

may not yet provide. 

Rodney Cameron-Tucker 

CEO, AMA TASMANIA 


5

To watch Patrick talk with a young person was 

to watch the seamless melding of rigorous 

training, broad intellectual understanding and, 

most of all, honest, compassionate interest. 

He spoke impeccable but accented English 

and when he spoke to someone, he listened 

so as to make them feel important. Despite 

being always dressed in a jacket and tie, and 

his patients calling him Dr Fernando, it was 

there the formality ended and he easily 

related to young people and them to him. He 

effortlessly expressed his compassion and 

his humour and he devoted himself to his 

patients. His professional heart was in helping 

children and young people - and in this area, 

he gave himself unstintingly. 

Patrick Michael Theodore Fernando came to 

Tasmania in 1978 and was the fi rst specifi cally 

trained Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to 

work in Tasmania. He worked for the Mental 

Health Services Commission and through 

its amalgamation to the Department of 

Health and Human Services, in the Child and 

Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) 

for 29 years. In that time, he was part of the 

transition from a “Child Guidance” clinic to a 

highly professional, multi-disciplinary mental 

health team; for the past 26 years at Clare 

House, the Southern CAMHS. Although always 

based in Hobart, Patrick travelled the State 

and supported the North and Northwest 

Services, who were often without a Child and 

Adolescent Psychiatrist on staff. He maintained 

a connection between all three services at 

both a professional and personal level. And he 

worked in private practice. 

Patrick was born in Sri Lanka, where he studied 

medicine and psychiatry. After his basic training in 

medicine, he went to Britain to do post-graduate 

training at the Institute if Psychiatry in London 

and then the Maudsley and Bethlehem Royal 

Hospitals. He then worked at the Child Psychiatry 

Unit in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, before moving to 

the other side of the world, Tasmania. 


OBITUARY 

Dr Patrick Michael Theodore Fernando, AM 

FRANZCP, MRC PSYCH (UK), DPM (Eng), MBBS 

Patrick was a skilled psychiatrist and in that 

capacity, over the years, he made major 

contributions to a number of different areas, 

for example to the Family Court of Australia in 

Tasmania. Patrick also served, with distinction, 

on the Child Protection Assessment Board and 

then as a Board Member of Anglicare, and at 

the Clarendon Children’s Homes. He served 

for many years on the Tasmanian Branch 

Committee of the Royal Australian and New 

Zealand College of Psychiatrists, including fi ve 

years as Chairman. He was a member of the 

Ethical Practice Committee of the College, and 

for a time on the Board of Practice Standards. 

He was a member of the Medical Council 

of Tasmania until his death. Patrick was also 

a national director of the Australian Infant 

Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health 

Association. 

Always interested in learning and teaching, 

Patrick encouraged people to explore areas 

of knowledge and he was an avid teacher, of 

medical students and psychiatry registrars as 

well as psychology or social work students 

who all came to Clare House for placements. 

He never refused the opportunity for students 

to sit in with him and he loved to discuss what 

he had taught. He was gracious in the manner 

in which he shared his wisdom and his sense 

of humour was a recognized component of his 

contribution to Clare House. 

Patrick did not treat the discipline of Child 

and Adolescent Psychiatry as merely a job, he 

saw it as a set of principles that were intended 

to promote the well-being of children. At 

functions such as weddings, Patrick was just as 

likely to be found playing amongst the children 

as mixing with the adults. He had strong values 

which sometimes caused confl ict with other 

people or organizations, always expressed for 

the benefi t of the children he thought were 

the most important consideration. He lived 

by those principles and expected staff to do 

27 November 1939 - 27 April 2007 

so as well. In private he was instrumental in 

establishing and fostering a charity for children 

in need. Over the years, many of the staff at 

Clare House had children and the families that 

were there often formed a strong bond that 

exists to today. 

Patrick lived his life as he expected others to 

lead theirs - he worked hard because he lived 

fully, and he also devoted himself to his family, 

his wife and two children. He was a romantic, 

who pursued Sally, his wife-to-be, to the States, 

where he married her in Las Vegas. He was also 

a man of faith and deep religious convictions. 

He gave his time to his friends and especially 

his family. He saw the role of a parent to be 

available to the family and he made time to 

enjoy the children as they grew. One is a legal 

practitioner and the other a dentist. Both share 

his love of life and his sociable nature. 

The word moderation did not apply to Patrick. 

He was apprehensive about swimming and 

so learned to do so as an adult. He enjoyed 

socializing and his parties were always well 

attended and fondly remembered. He liked to 

sing and had joined a choir. He wanted to fl y 

and started to learn a couple of years ago at 

the age of 65. He liked to travel and, when 

travelling, would often return to Sri Lanka. After 

the tsunami, he and Sally, with other Sri Lankan 

doctors, travelled back to offer assistance. 

He was recognized for his contribution to 

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the 

State with an Order of Australia in 2005. 

Patrick was struck down with Acute Myeloid 

Leukaemia and died within a few weeks. He 

had lived easily and well and did not miss an 

opportunity to be happy and do good. 

Stephen Pinkus 

Clinical Psychologist, Colleague and Friend 

July 2007

Well-known Tasmanian surgeon and 

AMA member, Dr Barry Edwards, 

conducted an interesting little 

experiment in 1989 - but not a surgical 

experiment, this was a viticultural one. 

Dr Edwards and his wife Cathy own 

Craigow (c1822) - one of the oldest 

country estates in the Coal River valley 

region. 

“When we fi rst purchased Craigow in 

1982, at 187 acres we realised it wasn’t 

quite large enough for other primary 

industry activities such as beef or sheep 

and it was too hilly for vegetables,” Dr 

Edwards said. 

“The other problem was that we weren’t on town water either and 

it was in the days before the Craigbourne irrigation scheme, so we 

decided to bring in a water diviner to explore the property. 

“Luckily the diviner managed to locate an underwater spring and 

we were able to put in a pump for irrigation,” he said. 

While researching the history of the property the Edwards’ 

discovered that the land used to be home to the largest apricot 

orchard in Tasmania. 

“It’s quite a well known fact that where apricots do well, so do 

grapes,” Dr Edwards said. 

“It’s a magnifi cent site that is rarely affected by frost and, as an 

orchard, the land had a proven track record. 

“We were looking for a high intensity crop, so I decided to put in 

some pinot noir vines as a bit of an experiment.” 

But the experiment paid off with the vines bearing quality fruit. 

“We were incredibly lucky because not long afterwards the 

Craigbourne irrigation scheme came on line allowing the Coal 

River valley access to a consistent water supply,” Dr Edwards said. 

After beginning with half an acre of pinot noir in 1989, the 

property now yields in addition to pinot noir - riesling, chardonnay, 

gewürztraminer, sauvignon blanc and merlot grapes over a total 

of about 25 acres of vines. Craigow’s wines are made by contract 

winemaker Julian Alcorso at Winemaking Tasmania. 

A Successful Experiment 

Watching his experiment grow into a signifi cant vineyard, which 

now employs a full-time vineyard manager, has been challenging 

for Dr Edwards, but has also given him a lot of satisfaction. 

“It’s great to have a hobby and I’ve always liked the idea of making 

very good, quality wines,” he said. 

“I think I’m a bit of a perfectionist - whether its surgery or 

viticulture. 

“I’m always striving to produce the ultimate wine and I think 

Craigow’s come close a couple of times, but it’s an ongoing 

challenge.” 

Speaking of challenges, Dr Edwards is busy on his latest wine 

which is still under wraps. So keep a close eye on Craigow... 

it looks like another successful experiment may be just around 

the corner. 

AMA Tasmania 

Member Wine Offer 

Craigow Wines 

As part of AMA Tasmania’s commitment to promoting 

Tasmanian wines, this issue’s special offer is courtesy of 

Craigow Vineyard. 

Craigow was one of the fi rst vineyards established in 

the Coal River Valley and its single site wines express 

the unique character of this region, with varieties 

that have been selected to suit the area’s growing 

conditions. 

Craigow is pleased to offer AMA members 13 to the 

dozen on any current Craigow releases (except dessert 

wines) plus free delivery in Tasmania. Visit www. 

craigow.com.au for price list/order form. Offer lasts 

until Christmas 2007. Mixed orders welcome. 

To take advantage of this superb offer, please contact 

Barry Edwards by phoning (03) 6223 6154 or faxing 

your order to (03) 6223 5639. Please quote your name, 

contact details and AMA Membership Number. 


7

Dean's Desk 

TASMANIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 

MESSAGE from THE DEAN 

In 2005 both the new fi ve year MBBS 

course and the existing six year MBBS 

course were granted accreditation by 

the Australian Medical Council until 31 

December 2011. 

Accreditation was subject to two conditions: 

that the TSoM report annually to the AMC 

Medical School Accreditation Committee 

(MedSAC); and 

that MedSAC receive a satisfactory report 

after a follow-up assessment visit to the 

School in 2007. 

The follow-up assessment visit will take place 

from 3 - 5 October. 

A rehearsal for the follow-up assessment visit 

took place from 1 - 3 August. 

July submission 

On 27 July the TSoM provided the AMC with a 

submission on the teach-out of the six year course, 

implementation of the fi ve year course, and issues 

arising from the 2005 accreditation visit. 

It includes a section on the School’s compliance 

with new AMC accreditation standards relating 

to indigenous health, safety and quality, and 

inter-professional education. 

The submission consists of a 26-page report 

plus 19 appendices and the report is available 

on the TSoM website at: http://www.medicine. 

utas.edu.au/ 

August rehearsal visit 

The rehearsal follow-up assessment visit 

was conducted by Prof. Ian Simpson, former 

MedSAC Chair, and Prof. Peter Stanton of the 

TSoM, an experienced AMC assessment team 

member. 


They met with School staff and students and 

representatives of other key stakeholders 

including the Menzies Research Institute, the 

hospitals, and the Department of Health and 

Human Services. 

The visit involved a review of the 

implementation of Years 1 and 2 of the new 

fi ve year course and plans for Years 3, 4 and 

5, and the teach-out of the existing six year 

course. 

It included meetings with key School 

committees and presentations by academic 

staff with Year and Unit Co-ordinator roles. 

A session on progress with the new building 

on the site of the old Menzies Centre was 

of particular interest, given that the façade 

has now been fi nalised and approved, and 

additional funding has allowed the size of the 

building to be as originally planned. 

The rehearsal visit provided all participants 

with valuable practice for the real follow-up 

assessment visit in October. 

In his report on the rehearsal visit, Prof. 

Simpson thanked all those who participated 

and expressed confi dence that the School 

would be well prepared for the real follow-up 

assessment visit. 

October real visit 

The AMC accreditation team conducting the 

real follow-up assessment visit will be chaired 

by Prof. John Nacey, Dean of the Wellington 

School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the 

University of Otago. 

Prof. Nacey chaired the assessment team 

which visited the TSoM in 2005. 

Other members of the 2007 team are: 

PROFESSOR ALLAN CARMICHAEL 

Dean of the Faculty of Health Science and 

Head of the Tasmanian School of Medicine 

Prof. Jane Dalstrom, Professor of Pathology, 

Australian National University; 

Prof. Geoff Salarsh, Head of the Bendigo 

Rural Clinical School/School of Rural Health, 

Monash University; 

Dr Philip Kemp, Lecturer in Primary Care 

and Medical Education, University of NSW. 

The team is small, mainly because the visit will 

simply follow-up the major accreditation visit in 

2005 and has been delayed due to the major 

assessments being undertaken by the AMC this 

year to accommodate new schools associated 

with the increased number of medical student 

places allocated nationally. 

Congratulations 

On behalf of the School, I congratulate Prof. 

Ken Kirkby on his election as President of The 

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of 

Psychiatrists. 

Prof. Kirkby is Head of the TSoM Discipline of 

Psychiatry and Year 3 Co-ordinator for the new 

fi ve year course, and also Chief Psychiatrist 

with Mental Health Services in the Tasmanian 

Department of Health and Human Services. 

Thanks and Welcome 

Again on behalf of the School, I thank former 

UTAS Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rudi Lidl, 

for his support over many years for the TSoM 

and wish him well in his new role with the 

Australian Universities Quality Agency. 

I welcome incoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor 

and Provost, Prof. David Rich, who has 

succeeded Prof. Lidl as the UTAS representative 

on the Tasmanian School of Medicine Advisory 

Committee.

�� 

�� 

�� 

Now is the 

time to start 

planning for your 

2008 Canada 

and Alaska 

experience. 

�� 

INCLUDES 

Return International 

Airfare ex 

Hobart � 

�� 

�� 

��✦ �� 

�� 

��✤�� 21 DAYS/18 NIGHTS FROM $8190 �� 

� PER PERSON EX HOBART 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

Canada and Alaska has always been on the 

wish list of Australian travelers and there 

is a vast array of travel product on the 

market. The most popular experience takes 

in the fabulous Rockies of British Columbia 

combined with a cruise through the 

magnifi cent Inside Passage to Alaska. 

Huge savings including free upgrades in 

accommodation and cabin standard are to 

be had for those that can plan ahead making 

the experience one to remember 

A tour to Canada is not complete without 

traveling on the famous Rocky Mountaineer 

Railway from Vancouver up through the 

�� ✤ 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

Rockies to Banff , Jasper or Lake Louise. 

Combine this with cruising in Alaska’s 

famous Glacier Bay and you have a once in a 

lifetime itinerary. 

Andrew Jones Travel can make sure AMA 

members get all the exclusive deals and 

secured inventory where applicable, this 

includes a fully escorted tour in September 

2008 ex Tasmania 

Why not contact the staff at Andrew Jones 

Travel where we can advise you on the 

best way to experience this memorable 

destination. 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

� �� 

��

AMA TASMANIA 

AMA Council of Doctors in 

Training Meeting 

Medical Students at 

AMA CDT morning tea

Mr Rodney Cameron Tucker, Dr David Stary, Dr Rosanna 

Capolingua, Dr Andrew Jackson, Dr Chris Middleton. 

Mrs Tania Goodacre & 

Mrs Carmel Clark 

Dr Leigh Dahlenburg 

Dr Andrew Jackson 

& Dr Rosanna Capolingua 

Dr Don Rose, Dr Andrew Jackson, Dr Chris Middleton 

Dr Rosanna Capolingua 

& Dr Alex Markwell 


11

Corporate Services 

Guild Insurance 6220 9800 

Page Seager Lawyers 6235 5155 

Practice Management 

Esset Australia 6344 9333 

Jet Employment 6234 7966 

James Graham & Associates 6243 6459 

Travel 

Andrew Jones Travel 6224 3499 


AMA Tasmania Member Services 

Automotive 

Hobart Autohaus 6236 9099 

Beaurepaires Dport 6424 1409 

Burnie 6431 3044 

Australasian Vehicle Buying Service 1300 76 49 49 

Retail 

K&D Warehouse 6230 0300 

Tasmanian Paints 6234 4788 

Golding & Sons Jewellers 6234 2047 

Fays Jewellers 6424 4263 

Routleys Menswear Hob 6224 2822 

Lton 6331 6666 

Brownings Menswear 6261 2293 

Pretty Woman 6334 2466 

His Nibbs Menswear 6424 2277 

Neil Pitt 6331 3711

Doug Davey is a Senior 

Financial Adviser with 

Davey & Scurrah. 

Contact Doug today on 

03 6244 5311 or 

doug@daveyscurrah. 

com.au. 

Doug Davey and Davey 

& Scurrah Pty Ltd are 

Authorised Representatives 

of GWM Adviser Services 

Limited ABN 96 002 071 749 

an Australian Financial 

Services Licensee. 

Insurance in 

Superannuation 

Have you considered maintaining your insurance 

cover either inside or outside your personal or self 

managed superannuation fund? 

Recent changes to Superannuation Law have 

included the abolition of Reasonable Benefi t Limits 

(RBL) from 1 July 2007 and the ATO’s release 

of Tax Determination TD 2007/3 allowing tax 

deductibility for Income Protection premiums with 

benefi t periods greater than 2 years. This means 

that the inclusion of life, total and permanent 

disability and income protection insurance in a 

self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) will 

provide various taxation concessions that in most 

instances are not available for insurance policies 

held outside of superannuation. In addition, the 

Case Study 

Mark and Jane are a married couple with two 

children aged 13 and 11. Mark, aged 50, is a 

Doctor with a salary package (that includes super) 

of $173,000 per annum. The package consists of 

the following: 

Item $-Amt 

Gross Salary 

Salary Sacrifi ce Arrangement 

$153,000 

(Inclusive of SG) $ 20,000 

Total $173,000 

His wife, Jane, is 48 and not gainfully employed. 

Their current living expenses total $50,000 per 

annum. They have a current mortgage of $300,000 

and other personal debt of $30,000. 

Their net asset position stands at $800,000 and 

includes total superannuation account balances 

of $200,000 and $100,000 for Mark and Jane 

respectively. 

Mark is concerned that he and his wife do not 

have adequate death or disability risk cover and 

would like to pursue risk arrangements outside of 

his employment. 

Mark’s employer is happy to extend his existing 

salary sacrifi ce arrangement (SSA) beyond that 

already in place. 

SMSF provides the fl exibility of how to disperse 

the insurance proceeds on receipt. 

What are the taxation implications if you employ 

this strategy? 

The policy owner and benefi ciary is the SMSF 

The SMSF structure affords the trustee the 

opportunity to set up income streams to 

dependants 

When the benefi t is paid from the fund to 

the benefi ciary, the tax treatment will vary 

depending on whether the benefi t is a TPD or 

Death Benefi t. 

Doug Davey ADFS (FP) 

SENIOR ADVISER 

Existing Change Proposed 

Employer 

Salary 

Super SAA into 

153,000 149,200 

Mark’s SMSF 20,000 23,800 

Totals 

Insurer 

173,000 0 173,000 

Premium from Mark 3,800 

Premium from SMSF 3,800 

Totals 

Mark 

3,800 0 3,800 

Net Pay 103,800 100,000 

Premium to Insurer (3,800) 

Totals 

SMSF 

101,670 1,670 101,670 

Contributions 20,000 23,800 

Premium to Insurer (3,800) 

Totals 20,000 0 20,000 

Total - Benefi t / (Cost) 1,670 

After discussions with their fi nancial planner, they 

determine they require $1 million of death and 

disability cover. The premium quoted is $3,800 

per annum. The table examines the after tax costs 

of arranging the insurance via superannuation 

compared to Mark paying the premium directly 

to the insurer from his net after tax income. 

Therefore, we can see by utilising a SSA / SMSF 

arrangement for his personal risk insurance needs 

have effectively been reduced by $1,670 (43.9%). 

Added benefi ts are that both he and his wife now 

have tax effective family risk cover that they have 

a greater degree of control over. 

This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice that has not been tailored to your personal 

circumstances. Please seek personal fi nancial advice prior to acting on this information. 


13


Award 

OAM 

AMA Tasmania congratulates 

Professor Allan Carmichael 

on his Order of Australia 

Medal in the recent 

Queens Birthday 

Honours List. 

Professor Carmichael is Dean of the Faculty of 

Health Science and Head of the School of Medicine. 

He was awarded his medal “For service to medicine 

as an educator and administrator through a range 

of government and professional organisations, 

particularly in the fi eld of paediatrics” 

Professor Carmichael has been an AMA Tasmania 

member for fi fteen years. He is a regular attendee 

at Southern Division meetings and a faithful 

contributor to our TasTalk magazine giving 

insightful reports to our members on the progress 

of our Medical School.

News fr om 

Hobart family providing 

$600,000 donation for 

local medical research 

The Research Foundation has revealed that 

the Sypkes family is providing a donation of 

$600,000 for the conduct of respiratory 

medicine research in Tasmania. 

The funds are being used for the establishment 

of 2 x 3 year post doctoral research fellowships 

to be based at the Menzies Research Institute. 

The fellowships will provide a signifi cant boost 

to the work of Menzies’ Respiratory Medicine 

Research Group, which is lead by award 

winning researcher Prof. Haydn Walters. 

Research Foundation Executive Director Tony 

Reidy said that the generosity of the Sypkes 

family was the single largest donation received 

by the Foundation since its inception in 1997. 

“The benefi ts from such signifi cant support for 

local medical research are realised in so many 

areas; building vital research infrastructure, 

attracting top clinical researchers to Tasmania, 

improving health outcomes for patients, 

and strengthening the clinical, teaching and 

research capacities of the Royal Hobart 

Hospital and the University’s Medical School,” 

Mr Reidy said. 

The decision of the Sypkes family to provide 

their donation follows the discovery that a 

member of the family is suffering from the 

respiratory illness Pulmonary Fibrosis. Rudie 

Sypkes, founder of the Chickenfeed Bargain 

(L to R) Philanthropist Rudie Sypkes, research fellow Dr Amir Soltani and Foundation Chair Ted Hardner 

Stores, was diagnosed with the disease in 

November 2005, and is currently undergoing 

intensive treatment while awaiting a life-saving 

lung transplant. 

Prof. Haydn Walters said that the two fellowships 

will involve both clinical and epidemiological 

research. The fi rst fellow will continue 

investigations into fi brosis and remodelling of 

the airways in chronic infl ammatory conditions, 

and the second will concentrate on the 

epidemiology of respiratory disease in Tasmania. 

The Foundation announced that that the fi rst 

Sypkes Fellow to be appointed is Dr Amir 

Soltani, a medical graduate who has been a lung 

transplant fellow at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital. 

The recruitment of the second Sypkes Fellow is 

also underway. 

The importance of registering as an organ 

donor was also emphasised at today’s 

announcement, where it was revealed that 

failure by Australians to register their consent 

is preventing donation in one third of cases. 

There is a pressing need for Tasmanians to 

formally register their consent as organ and 

tissue donors with the Australian Organ 

Donor Register, and thereby obtain their 

organ donor card from Medicare Australia. 

Tony Reidy 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 


15

Taking the guess work out of 

Craig Spiegel is a specialised 

consultant with Experien 

Medical Finance. 

Experien is the only independent 

specialist financier to the 

medical professions. 

Contact Craig today on 

(03) 9699 8222 or 

craig.spiegel@experien.com.au 

for all your practice and 

business finance needs. 


For most of us, to realise the joy of home 

ownership, means bearing the pain of a long 

term mortgage. Due to the average 20-30 

years that a mortgage is being paid down, 

the interest is substantial. However there are 

ways to reduce the interest, with little effort 

on your part. 

The mortgage market has a range of loan 

options enabling professionals to obtain 

fi nance for debt consolidation and conversion, 

owner-occupied or investment loans, equity 

loans for investment or personal purposes 

and more. 

Some of these options may include: 

- Standard Term Loan 

- 100% Offset Home Loan 

- Home Line of Credit 

Standard Term Loan 

A Term Loan gives you the choice of a 

competitive low ongoing variable interest 

rate or a one to fi ve year fi xed rate. This 

allows you the fl exibility of redraw options, 

choice of repayment frequency, and additional 

repayments (may be limited) at any time 

during fi xed terms. 

100% Offset Home Loan 

Unique to certain fi nanciers, a 100% Offset 

Home Loan account enables you to deposit 

funds into the offset account, saving you paying 

interest on the corresponding loan amount. 

This also allows you to maintain the loan, with 

the benefi t of reducing interest, if you live in 

the property and then change to investment 

Home Loans 

later. This is not uniquely on variable loans, 

but may also be available on fi xed loans from 

some specialised lenders. 

Balanced Home Line 

A Balanced Home Line allows you combine a 

home loan with an overdraft facility (or line of 

credit) - putting you in control of your fi nances. 

This is an ideal account if you want fl exible 

access to your funds when you need them, 

while still building equity. Beware though, a line 

of credit is usually a more expensive option 

and other facilities may give you many of the 

same benefi ts. 

When choosing how best to fi nance your 

residential mortgage, consider your options 

carefully as there may be substantial cash fl ow 

and tax consequences if the best structure is 

not applied. 

Craig Spiegel 

Victoria & Tasmania State Manager 

Guaranteed Lowest Rates 

At Experien we guarantee to beat your current Home 

Loan rate when you refi nance with Experien. If we are 

not able to beat it, we will give you a $50 Myer Voucher!! 

Send a copy of your current statement to Dina Moss (PO 

Box 1714, North Sydney NSW 2059) 

* Offer excludes existing Fixed Rate Loans. Valid until 31 September 2007.


17

18 TASTalk AUGUST 2007

MEDICAL CONTINUITY – 

SUCCESSION PLANNING 

A focused program specifically designed for Medical Practitioners to develop the skills and 

tools required for succession planning and business continuity through both training and 

mentoring activities. 

The program is delivered firstly with a Workshop and then 6 x 2hour mentoring sessions over the 

ensuing 6 months. 

The program includes: 

� Succession planning overview 

� Internal succession 

� External succession 

� Business structure 

� Personal options 

� Business valuations 

� Retirement options 

� Identifying Professional Support 

� Succession funding 

� Accessing Support networks 

� Linking Plans (Succession, Business, 

Investment & Retirement) 

� Developing Strategies 

� Transition Issues 

� Marketing & Sale of Practices 

� Superannuation & taxation issues 

� Advantages & Disadvantages 

� Pitfalls and how to avoid 

� Creating Action plans 

The program provides a framework to develop and implement a succession plan to 

ensure practice continuity. 

Format 

Full day workshop (or 2 half day) + one-to-one mentoring 

Places are limited Limited to to 10 AMA Members in in each of of Hobart, Hobart and Launceston Launceston, and North West 

Commencing in June September 2007 2007 

To Register 

To Register 

To register, please call Carmel on 6223 2047 or download a registration form 

from our website - www.amatas.com.au 

www amatas com au 

This $3000 value program is available at the SUBSIDISED COST of $300 per participant. 

This is an Australian Government funded initiative under the 

Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program 

TAS MANIA

By comparing your current rates with MDAV’s premiums, you could 

enjoy comprehensive insurance that offers significant cost savings. 

You will also benefit from a range of membership benefits, including 

personal support, for times of intense stress and anxiety, a 24 hour 

medico-legal service and a free medico-legal guide. 

Before you renew your medical defence cover, get an online quick 

quote at www.mdav.org/quickquote or call 13 MDAV (13 6328). 

The Medical Defence Association of Victoria Ltd. ABN 59 004 046 379. Insurance Policies are underwritten 

by Professional Indemnity Insurance Company Australia Pty Ltd (PIICA) ABN 53 007 383 137 AFS License 

No 238509. This material does not take into account your personal needs or financial circumstances 

and you should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before acquiring any products. 

You can obtain a copy by visiting our website at www.mdav.org 

MDAV3742 

Get an online quick quote at 

www.mdav.org or call 13 MDAV

THIS ISSUE - AMA Tasmania

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?