"I regularly hear from community members on the southside who tell me they often cannot get in to see a doctor when they need one. I've also heard from some local GP practices who are struggling to recruit the doctors they need to meet demand," he said.

Mr Perrett said building up the number of GP's on the southside was a vital step in ensuring we get better access to GPs into the future.

"After so many years of neglect by the Liberal and National parties and in particular the current Leader of the Opposition, this action is long overdue for communities across the Moreton electorate," he said.

"This announcement builds on the Rudd Government's work already undertaken, with an additional 175 GP's nationally because of changes we have made."

Mr Perrett said the latest investment would deliver:

• Double the number of places available for medical graduates to train to become a General Practitioner from 600 when the government took office to 1,200 a year by 2014;
• more than double the current number of places available for medical graduates to undertake training to become specialist doctors in private, community and rural settings from 360 to 900 by 2014; and
• a double the number of places available for junior doctors to experience a career in general practice before they become a fully fledged doctor to 975 places a year by 2013.