Dr Ng said returning to Perth to take up the role, just before the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic, was always going to make for what he described as “an interesting journey”. He noted that the timing shaped much of his tenure and provided no shortage of challenges and opportunities for reflection.
As Chief Executive of a registered union, Dr Ng said a key focus of his leadership was industrial advocacy. He led two Industrial Agreements, which he described as “hard fought”, and pointed to significant gains for WA hospital doctors, including improvements in pay, working conditions and job security. These outcomes included permanency of tenure, portability of benefits, a number of group, specialty and hospital-based agreements, and national recognition of WA rural generalists as specialists for the first time in Australia.
Beyond industrial matters, Dr Ng reflected on the organisation’s policy and advocacy functions, saying that “advocating for impactful policies is a given”. Under his leadership, the AMA (WA) played a role in major reforms and investments, from the introduction of Voluntary Assisted Dying in WA to increased funding for hospitals, general practice and Medicare. He noted that the pandemic brought the organisation into the public spotlight, with the AMA (WA) central to discussions on border closures, quarantine arrangements and vaccination policy as part of broader public health decision-making.
He said he was particularly proud of leading teams that established new initiatives such as AMA CPD Home – the first non‑college accredited CPD body in Australia – as well as the AMA Nursing School, AMA Financial Services and, most recently, AMA (WA) Legal. He also described it as a privilege to support the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service WA, alongside other for‑purpose initiatives including Dr YES, Youth Friendly Doctor, and the Benevolent Fund.
Dr Ng was grateful to the many people who had backed him during his tenure.
“I could not have done it without the support of current and past Presidents, boards, councils, practice groups, members and staff. To all our partners and stakeholders, it has been great working with you to advance different causes.”
The AMA (WA) has entered a period of leadership transition, with Dr Bennie Ng stepping down from the role of Chief Executive Officer after more than six years in the role.