A decision by AMA Victoria to offer a cheaper membership option that cuts out financial support for the national body has been labelled a “declaration of war” by one of its former presidents. 

Until now, doctors who sign up to a state or territory AMA branch have been automatically enrolled in the federal AMA, with their membership fees shared between the organisations.

But on Saturday, the Victorian branch announced it would introduce a “state-only” membership from next year, at a 40% discount compared with the usual rate. 

This would be possible because its federal counterpart wouldn’t receive any of its typical share of half the membership fee.