Requiring health professionalization in a neo-liberal country (Australia)!?

Australia is one of the key neo-liberal nations on the globe at this point in time. With a focus on free markets and economic expansion unhindered by government “interference” it would seem contraindicated to know that since 2008 the national federal government has initiated a raft of professional health group registrations.

The first round of registrations included physiotherapy, optometry, nursing and midwifery, chiropractic care, pharmacy, dental care (dentists, dental hygienists, dental prosthetists and dental therapists), medicine, psychology and osteopathy and Podiatry. A second round is to occur with occupational groups to be assessed against six criteria which hub around notions of risk of public harm and the practicality of registration. 

This active move by government on the surface contradicts the broader neo-liberal framework of Australian governing over recent decades. It is also fair to say that the overall leanings of government have not shifted markedly from a belief in free-running markets and economic bottom line policies. While the economics of “risk” may be seen to be a coherent driver to such moves, an alternate theoretical understanding would suggest that agendas of control could also be seen as current influences on these actions of government. It is possible to surmise that agendas of “health reform” particularly underpinned by concerns regarding the escalating cost of health care servicing have reduced government resistance to notions of market interference and raised interests in strategic control of health professionals.

This paper will explore these changes in Australian health workforce policy, making connections to theoretical ideas which may give insights into the machinations, and potential future pitfalls (for all players) of these new directions.