Letter to the Editor

Dear Madam/sir,

I am very supportive of the implementation of these two COCA objectives:

1. To promote the integration of Chiropractors and Osteopaths into the broader community health team.
2. To participate in activities related to public health.

In Australia’s small private health marketplace we are integrated as participants within the broader community health team. By contrast we are neither participants nor are our services integrated into the large public health marketplace, where most patients shop and most funds are spent. This unique two marketplace structure of the illness industry and a few trade barriers stop our professions being integrated and participating in public health.

In competition terminology government deals exclusively with the provider group practicing under medicine’s broad umbrella and excludes other provider groups. In other industries such exclusive dealing could contravene NCP and invite intervention by ACCC or NCC.

Initially National Competition Policy (NCP) legislation held promise that exclusive dealing would be outlawed. However, I now believe that conduct authorized by government legislation falls outside of the scope of the Trade Practices Act.

Medicine’s monopoly in a $40 billion marketplace, though contrary to the intent of Australia’s National Competition Policy, does not contravene government National Competition legislation and so it appears to be beyond the reach of ACCC and NCC. Containment will continue.

Michael McKibbin D.C.