Drinks with Dr Stephen Duckett AM & Michael Gorton AM

On 8 May 2025, a large group of us gathered for two insightful and thought-provoking presentations on the progress of Victoria’s health reforms. While the ambitious reform agenda in this complex sector is often discussed, it’s far less common to gain expert, evidence-based insight into its actual effectiveness.

We first heard from Michael Gorton AM, who provided a clear overview of the proposed changes and the strides being made to foster greater collaboration amongst health services - aimed at delivering better care across the population. This was followed by Dr Stephen Duckett AM, who critically examined whether these reforms are truly on track to improve outcomes.

Both speakers - both distinguished Melbourne Forum members with extensive experience in health policy and management - then engaged in a lively, intelligent discussion with attendees. The result was a highly stimulating evening that left us all far better informed.