The Wire

Every year thousands of tourists in addition to Australian residents, show up at emergency departments across Australia, often with trivial ailments. Due to international agreements, many are perfectly entitled to do exactly this. But there is increasing worry about the burden it is placing on our health care system. Health Departments in states like New South Wales are rumoured to be drafting policy to clamp down on abuse of emergency departments by foreign visitors. But is restricting access to emergency care the Australian way?