AMA Qld still not buying doctor contracts QUEENSLAND'S peak medical body still isn't sold on new contracts for senior doctors, despite one of its own members publicly backing a draft agreement for visiting medical officers. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland's VMO committee chair, Dr Ross Cartmill, endorsed contracts for the specialists on Monday, saying he's happy for his colleagues to consider what's on offer. However, AMA Queensland says Dr Cartmill is speaking for himself and the body has concerns about the contracts, which are similar to agreements about to be offered to the state's 3000 senior doctors. AMA Queensland president Dr Christian Rowan says the new individual contracts will spell disaster for the state's health system. "Offering different rates of pay to new and junior doctors could be disastrous for attracting and retaining staff in public hospitals, and senior doctors who refuse to sign the contracts are not guaranteed a redundancy so they can like it or lump it," he said. Health Minister Lawrence Springborg says the VMO contracts will help ensure the specialists serviced rural and remote facilities as well as clinical and teaching services. Dr Cartmill says he has no major reservations about the proposed contracts and believes they will help retain the state's 750 VMOs. "We've reached a point where we have something that I can pass on to my colleagues and encourage them to give this serious consideration," he said. Mr Springborg says the new contracts will deliver VMOs fortnightly pay, tailored employment terms, perpetual open-ended contracts, agreed wording around termination clauses and recognition of all accrued entitlements. Legislation introduced to parliament in October will enable doctors on salaries of more than $130,000 to be put on individual contracts. The laws are expected to be passed this week.