Stephen Leeder

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The new funding meets some of the shortfall left by the 2014 budget cuts. AAP/Lucas Coch

Hospital funding deal: experts respond

Peter Sivey, La Trobe University; Lesley Russell, University of Sydney, and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

States will receive an additional A$2.9 billion from July 2017 to June 2020, with growth in Commonwealth funding capped at 6.5%. The Conversation’s experts respond.
New data shows many Australians aren’t seeing their doctors because it costs too much. from shutterstock.com

Cost of doctor visits putting off rural Australians: report

Sasha Petrova, The Conversation

In some parts of Australia, patients are twice to three times more likely to avoid seeing their GP because they can’t afford it, according to figures released today.
The issue came to a head last year when the federal budget ripped billions of dollars of hospital funding from the states. Shutterstock

Remind me again, what’s the problem with hospital funding?

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

State and territory leaders will meet in Sydney today to nut out solutions to health and education funding gaps. But what exactly is the problem they’re hoping to address?
Billions were expected to be saved from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – but surprisingly the budget only outlines $252 million in savings. Lukas Coch/AAP

Federal Budget 2015: health experts react

David Hunter, Flinders University; Michael Woods, University of Technology Sydney; Peter Breadon, Grattan Institute, and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The big surprise about this year’s health budget was what wasn’t there – billions of dollars in expected savings from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
AMA president Brian Owler said the decision to outsource production was financial, describing the publisher’s financial position as “perilous”. Lukas Coch/AAP

Former editor: outsourcing puts Medical Journal of Australia at risk

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The recent decision to outsource production of the journal to international publishing company Elsevier – and the route it took to get there – made my position untenable.
Malcolm Fraser has passed away at the age of 84. AAP/NAA

Malcolm Fraser’s life and legacy: experts respond

Alex Millmow, Federation University Australia; Andrew Jakubowicz, University of Technology Sydney; Anne-marie Boxall, University of Sydney; David Penington, The University of Melbourne; Hannah Forsyth, Australian Catholic University; Joanna Mendelssohn, UNSW ; Jo Caust, The University of Melbourne; Liz Giuffre, University of Technology Sydney; Mark Beeson, The University of Western Australia; Peter Whiteford, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University; Simon Ville, University of Wollongong; Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney, and Vincent O'Donnell, RMIT University

In his time in office, Malcolm Fraser oversaw the acceptance of southeast Asian refugees and led economic and social welfare reforms.
Several private health insurers are trailing schemes to prevent their members’ health deteriorating. DIBP images

Keeping people healthy is good for insurers’ bottom line

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

Australia’s population is in the midst of considerable demographic change, with a proportional rise in older age groups. Medical successes can now save the lives of those who would have died from illnesses…
Opposition leader Bill Shorten delivered his first budget in reply speech on the floor of parliament tonight. AAP/Alan Porritt

Bill Shorten’s budget reply: experts react

Tim Pitman, Curtin University; Glenn Savage, The University of Melbourne; Margaret McKenzie, Deakin University; Richard Holden, UNSW , and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has vowed to oppose funding cuts to hospitals, schools and higher education in his budget in reply speech, threatening more than A$10 billion in budget savings proposed by…
We all know what’s happened, but what happens next? Mitch Duncan/AAP

Election 2013 results and the future: experts respond

Stephen Duckett, Grattan Institute; Andrew Norton, Grattan Institute; David Zyngier, Monash University; Fabrizio Carmignani, Griffith University; Ian Lowe, Griffith University; Jo Coghlan, Southern Cross University; Merlin Crossley AM, UNSW ; Nicholas Biddle, Australian National University; Rod Tucker, The University of Melbourne; Sinclair Davidson, RMIT University, and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

Australia has elected a Coalition government. So what will this mean for key policy areas? Our experts take a closer look at what’s in store for business, the economy, the environment, the National Broadband…
Research should be routinely performed as part of health-care delivery. Image from shutterstock.com

Don’t bury the benefits of research to improve the health system

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

If you missed the release of the McKeon review on Friday you’re not alone. The Commonwealth government released the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research just before the weekend – a time…
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek says millions of Australians are still going without adequate dental care. AAP

Labor plugs the gap in dental health care

Charis Palmer, The Conversation

Dental and health policy experts have welcomed a $4 billion dental health package from the Federal Government, which specifically targets children and pensioners. The package provides $2.7 billion in new…
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Aged Care Mark Butler today unveiled a $3.7 bn aged care package. AAP

Aged care reform: experts respond

Steve Macfarlane, Monash University; Colleen Doyle, The University of Melbourne, and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The Commonwealth government today announced a $3.7 bn package of reforms to give older Australians “more choice, easier access and better care” in their later years. The Living Longer Living Better plan…
With at least half of all deaths in Asia attributable to chronic diseases, Australia must lend a hand. Santo Chino

Australia can lead the fight against Asia’s lifestyle disease epidemic

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

AUSTRALIA IN THE ASIAN CENTURY – A series examining Australia’s role in the rapidly transforming Asian region. Delivered in partnership with the Australian government. Today, Professor Stephen Leeder looks…
Plain packaging is one of many health reforms to enter or pass through parliament last week. AAP

Plain packaging wraps up a big year for health legislation in 2011

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The final sitting of federal parliament last week lacked no drama, ending with the sudden induction of Peter Slipper as speaker. It was also a mammoth week for health legislation, with the passing of the…
A 40% public hospital budget cut has restricted access to care. AAP

Greece’s financial crisis takes toll on the nation’s health

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

Another round of violent protests erupted in Greece last week, following the latest austerity cuts to public service jobs and pay. Meanwhile, the creeping consequences of austerity measures are beginning…
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon addresses the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs on September 19, 2011. UN Photo/Marco Castro

Non‑communicable diseases come to the United Nations

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

Non-communicable diseases – Professor Stephen Leeder looks at what came out of the UN meeting on NCDs. Despite the lack of definite goals and targets, the United Nations High-Level Meeting in New York…
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan called for assistance in reforming the WHO at the 64th World Health Assembly. WHO

Australia’s role in reforming the World Health Organisation

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The World Health Organisation (WHO) remains the most important player in global health despite growing problems with its structure and funding. Australia is in an excellent position to help modernise the…
Extra funds for mental health and regional hospitals balanced other budget cuts.

Budget maintains a healthy weight

Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

We were chilled by the prospect of a radical weight-loss austerity budget, but it did not occur in health. While liposuction was applied to several programs – hearing services and general practice-based…
Both major parties in the NSW election campaign have pledged to increase spending on hospitals. AAP/Paul Miller

State of NSW: What next for patients suffering health reform fatigue?

Amanda Dominello, University of Sydney; Angela Beaton, University of Sydney, and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The debate about health in the lead-up to the Saturday March 26 NSW election has been unusually civilised and intelligent. The main contestants – the current minister, Carmel Tebbutt, and shadow minister…

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