Three medical organizations have urged Australian governments to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14, arguing current policies push too many young people into the justice system.
Healthcare workforce expansion draws mixed reactions
The federal government announced last week it would expand paid placements to students in 10 allied health professions, including clinical psychology, physiotherapy, and paramedicine. The move extends a program originally introduced in the 2024 budget to ease financial pressure on students completing mandatory clinical placements.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the expansion would help address workforce shortages in critical areas. “This is about ensuring students can focus on their training without the added stress of financial hardship,” he said.
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Professional groups representing the included fields welcomed the decision. The Australian Psychological Society, Australian Physiotherapy Association, and Australian College of Paramedicine all issued statements praising the move. The National Rural Health Alliance called it an “important investment,” especially for rural and remote areas where placement opportunities are often harder to secure.
However, the expansion left some professions out. The Australian Medical Association, Australian Medical Students’ Association, and Dietitians Australia expressed disappointment. The AMA called the exclusion of medical students “a decision that makes zero sense,” while Dietitians Australia noted the irony of leaving out a profession central to combating diet‑related chronic disease—the country’s leading killer.
Allied Health Professions Australia, which coordinated advocacy for the expansion, acknowledged the omission but called the decision a “hard‑won step forward.” The group urged the government to extend support to remaining allied health fields, including dietetics, osteopathy, and optometry.
Critics also questioned the lack of clear criteria for inclusion. The government did not explain why some professions, like audiology, were covered while others, like optometry, were not—despite similarities in training and scope. Without explicit guidelines, decisions risk appearing arbitrary, some industry groups warned.
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Violence against healthcare workers reaches crisis levels
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows assaults on healthcare workers have doubled over the past decade, now ranking as the second‑leading cause of injury hospitalizations in the sector. Falls remain the top cause, but assaults have climbed from fourth to second place since 2015, accounting for 15% of all injury hospitalizations among healthcare workers in 2024‑25.
The findings align with longstanding warnings from unions and professional bodies. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine said the numbers reflect the “daily reality” faced by emergency department staff. “Emergency doctors and nurses go to work to care for people, not to be hospitalized themselves,” said ACEM President Dr. Peter Allely. “When assaults requiring hospitalization double in a decade, that’s a sign the systems meant to protect staff and patients are falling short.”
The Australian College of Nursing and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation issued a joint statement calling for urgent action, including improved staffing levels and additional security measures. ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler described occupational violence as an “epidemic” causing significant physical and psychological harm. “This isn’t just about safety—it’s about the capacity of health workers to deliver care when they’re constantly under threat,” she said.
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Experts point to several factors driving the increase, including longer wait times in emergency departments, understaffing, and rising mental health presentations. ACEM’s 2025 report, Breaking Point, recommends a whole‑of‑system approach, including better incident reporting, dedicated security roles, and stronger primary care to reduce avoidable hospital visits.
The government has not announced specific measures in response to the latest data, but the issue is expected to feature prominently in upcoming workforce negotiations. Some states have already introduced stricter penalties for assaults on healthcare workers, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
Violence against staff must end.