News

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New RACGP President officially sworn in

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In her last official duty in the role, outgoing RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins opened the college’s 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday evening, before handing over the Presidency to Dr Michael Wright.
 
Taking place at GP24 in Perth, on Whadjuk Noongar Country with 140 attendees in person and 37 online, the AGM saw Dr Higgins thank ‘all those who serve the profession of general practice’.
 
‘Thank you for your dedication and leadership, we did this together,’ she said.
 
‘When leaders embody humility, listen, align, be bold and brave, we can make a difference.
 
‘It’s been an absolute honour serving as your President for the past two years, and I now hand over to the safe and capable hands of our new President.
 
‘I am excited for you, Michael, and the future of our profession and our college … And I very much look forward to watching from the side.’
 
The transfer of the Presidential Chains marked the official handover of the RACGP Presidency to Dr Wright. After thanking Dr Higgins for her tenure as a ‘tremendously hardworking’ President, Dr Wright spoke about what inspired his GP career.
 
Having grown up with his GP dad practising out of their home, he felt ‘very fortunate’ to see the impact that longitudinal care provides for people in the community.
 
Now as President of Australia’s peak general practice college, Dr Wright detailed how he will continue fighting for the profession.
 
‘I will carry on Nicole’s incredible work, I will unite our membership, and I will fight to improve general practice funding, boost our workforce, reduce red tape so that patient care always comes first, and secure the future of this great profession so that no patients miss out on the care they need,’ he said.
 
‘I want to clearly articulate the value of general practice … In our practices around the nation, we make a difference to thousands of people every day.
 
‘I’m so proud of the contribution GPs make to the health and productivity of our nation every single day. I love being a specialist GP, and I’m honoured to be your RACGP President.’
 
Dr Wright said he now wants to continue Dr Higgins’ legacy, saying he is ‘certainly filling very big shoes’.
 
‘Nicole, you have done a wonderful job for raising the voice of our profession,’ he said.
 
‘I will hit the ground running … and with an upcoming Federal Election not far away, we haven’t a moment to lose. I have a plan, and will see it through.
 
‘I want every single politician in this country to know there is no substitute for the quality care a patient gets by having a GP who knows them. GPs and practice teams must be at the heart of our health system.’
 
RACGP Board Chair Dr Lara Roeske also delivered her final Chair’s report, as the AGM saw her step down from the role after two years, as well as six years as a director.
 
‘During my time as Chair, I’ve had the privilege not only of overseeing the governance of the RACGP, but of helping to advocate for and champion our members’ interests, ensuring the RACGP remains a college of choice for GPs,’ she said.
 
‘On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the RACGP team and our valued stakeholders for their support – it has been a privilege to work with you all and serve as your Chair.
 
‘Finally, I would like to thank all members for the continued support you provide, you are central to all we do, and we celebrate and acknowledge the critical role each of you has in keeping Australia healthy.’

Outgoing RACGP Board Chair Dr Lara Roeske delivered her final Chair’s report at the 2024 AGM.
 
Dr Roeske also thanked Dr Higgins.
 
‘Our advocacy and policy grew from strength to strength under President Dr Nicole Higgins and we acknowledge her dedication to ensuring members have a strong voice in government reviews and policy,’ she said.
 
‘As Nicole finishes up in her role, we welcome incoming RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright. As a college we greatly look forward to working with him.’
 
Following the Finance report by the Chair, Finance Audit and Risk Committee and the Chief Financial and Corporate Services Officer, Dr Higgins delivered her final President’s report.
 
‘I am proud to leave behind strong foundations for the RACGP,’ she said.
 
‘I’ve worked with many boards, and I honour the leadership of our Chair Lara Roeske, my fellow directors, and our CEO Georgina Van De Water.
 
‘Lara and I are passing forward the baton today after two years of working closely together as college leaders.
 
‘Our north star has always been about how to best support our members. If we look after GPs – then GPs will look after the health of the nation.’
 
RACGP CEO Georgina Van De Water also delivered her address to members, followed by an introduction from Dr Higgins to new members on the 67th RACGP Board.
 
New members on the 67th RACGP Board

• Board Chair – Dr Siân Goodson replaces Dr Lara Roeske
• Vice President – Dr Ramya Raman replaces Associate Professor Michael Clements
• Specific Interests Chair – Dr Jeremy Hudson replaces Dr Lara Roeske

All other Board members remain in their roles.
 
For the RACGP’s 67th AGM voting process, members were asked to vote on two Ordinary Resolutions: directors’ remuneration for the 2025–26 financial year, and the President’s remuneration. All resolutions passed.
 
Voting outcomes
Ordinary Resolution 6.1: Director’s remuneration for financial year 2025–26
Following an independent review undertaken in August 2024, this resolution recommended an increase in RACGP directors’ fees. The total amount available to remunerate directors is $896,000, including superannuation, for the 2025–26 financial year, but excluding the President’s remuneration.
 
Yes votes = 1422 (66.3%)
No votes = 722 (33.7%)
Total votes: 2144
 
Ordinary Resolution 6.2: President’s remuneration
The second resolution for the President’s renumeration proposed a 4.4% increase. The total amount available to remunerate the RACGP President in performing their constitutional duties is $338,474 including superannuation, effective from the 2024 AGM to the 2025 AGM.
 
Yes votes = 1506 (71.7%)
No votes = 595 (28.3%)
Total members voted: 2101
 
The voting totals listed above are all votes received on the resolutions, including early votes and proxy votes. Members can read the full resolutions and total voting numbers of the 67th AGM on the RACGP website. 
 
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AGM annual general meeting governance RACGP constitution RACGP President

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