Paul,

The figures quoted were from the "Australian Population Research Institute", and while I know that you struggle reading the big words in the Australian, are you challenging the Australian Population Research Institute?

Foxy,

The issue with the shortage of skills in rural areas extends further than just doctors, due to young people not wanting to move out of the cities. I lived near Adelong for a number of years, and the local GP with a thriving practice could not get anyone to replace him when he retired, nor could the pharmacy even after offering salaries above those in the cities.

Dear Shadow Minister,

The following link explains the problem in rural areas:

http://newmatilda.com/2017/02/07/forgotten-people-breaking-bush/

In the cities there are also serious staff problems in the
acute care services in public hospitals and aged-care facilities.

LOL
Many rural people use available money for fuel to get to town and to buy essentials that do not include all the sundry items in pharmacies that should help viability and good overtime wages.
It can be tough out there.
And I have station overseer experience 400 km west of Bourke.

Foxy,

From your link:

"Besides, “there is no way” living in a city like Sydney or Melbourne would afford her family the kind of lifestyle they have in Forbes, which she describes as “God’s gift on earth”."

There are huge benefits to living in a small town and huge problems. I lived in a small town for several years and ended up moving to Sydney to get access to better schools.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Of course there are many benefits of living in
rural communities. I still have families that
live there and have no intention of moving.
However what we are discussing here
are some of the disadvantages, these communities
face as well as certain staff shortages that we
have not only in rural areas but in the cities as
well.

Foxy,

We were talking about doctors. Whilst there might be isolated shortages of specific specialities, overall there is no shortage of Doctors in Aus. I have several doctors as friends and all of them have indicated that there is no shortage.

Recent articles have indicated that there is a shortage of intern places at Aus hospitals for all the medical graduates.