2025 Election Platform
The impact of your voice.
As a result of our election campaign, 724 people living with or caring for someone living with arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition have emailed their MP asking for better care, support and research – thank you to those who have made your voices heard and have shared the many responses from your elected representatives.
What is the impact of 724 emails?
It means that on average every federal MP in the country will have heard from (and had to respond to) 4-5 constituents living with arthritis and MSK, and every senator in your state or territory will have received your email – an average of 90 emails per senator. Your emails have a domino effect.
We congratulate the Albanese Government on its election victory, and we are also thankful to the Australian Labor Party, the Coalition and the Australian Greens for their responses to our election platform addressing their health policy commitments and the need for better care for our community.
We look forward to working with the new parliament to ensure arthritis and MSK is a national priority.
Arthritis Australia has received responses to our election platform from the Australian Labor Party, the Coalition and the Australian Greens – read what they have to say about their health policy commitments and the need for better care and research funding for arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
The truth is that millions of Australians of all ages wake up with arthritis and MSK conditions every day.
For those who don’t experience it first hand, it’s crucial to understand the detrimental impact this condition has on everyday life.
We all know someone who has arthritis or MSK or cares for someone affected by it.
You can still share your story and ask for support as we continue our advocacy by emailing your MP or meeting your MP.
Our asks for Australians living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions:
1. Invest in game-changing arthritis and musculoskeletal research to transform lives and generate health system savings
For every Australian living with arthritis and MSK, the government spent just $6 on research through the NHMRC in 2023. This compares to $108 per person living with dementia, and $72 per person with a cardiovascular condition.
Boosting arthritis and musculoskeletal research could transform quality of life for people of all ages living with pain and disability. By establishing a Medical Research Future Fund Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Mission we could save the health system billions and give the hope of a cure for these debilitating conditions.
2. Action on out-of-pocket healthcare costs - reform safety nets, and provide timely relief from fees when it is needed most
Too many people are struggling with the costs of care and face the awful dilemma of choosing between buying basics like food or being able to afford their healthcare. We are calling for reforms including Introducing a single, automated Health Safety Net covering both the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare, changing the expenditure qualifying periods to a 12- month rolling period to ensure people get equitable access to concessions, and provide additional fee relief during arthritis flares when healthcare costs skyrocket.
3. Fund affordable and accessible care for people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, including exercise and rehabilitation through allied health and social prescribing programs
Too many people are forced to put up with the pain with little care or support, languishing on elective surgical waiting lists that can exceed 500 days. Allied health services such as those provided by physiotherapists and dieticians are critical but simply unaffordable for many people.
Share your story and ask for better care and support.
What can you do?
Inform
Inform yourself about the impact arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions have on 7 million Australians by downloading our election platform.
Act
Use our tool to email your local Member of Parliament and Senators, share your story and ask for their support.
Share
Share this with your family and friends for even more impact. Remember to tag us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE to read our #1in7withArthritis – 2022 Election Platform
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