Australian Medical Association ACT president Paul Jones said health policies should be assessed based on simple tests, which Dr Jones listed in Canberra Doctor, an AMA ACT publication, as ''whether it enhances or impairs the doctor-patient relationship, whether it can actually be implemented, whether the community can afford [it], whether it meets a genuine need or want and whether it will enhance or damage existing services.

''... I have grave doubts that bulk-billing clinics in far-flung suburbs open from 6pm to 2am would meet many of these five tests.''

Opposition health spokeswoman Jacqui Burke said the policy would enhance existing services by easing pressure on emergency departments and offering a genuine alternative for Canberrans who became ill after hours. ''It is a policy designed to complement the suite of services currently available,'' she said.

''The after-hours GP clinics are not intended to replace or even supplant the primary relationship held by the patient and regular GP. In fact we contend that, given the option of dealing with an emergency room or an after-hours GP, the doctor patient relationship might actually improve.

''Given that similar facilities have been in operation for some time in NSW, there is no substantive case against the clinics being viable in the ACT.''

Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the Government had a $1 billion plan to build the health system the community would need into the future. She was ''amazed'' the Liberals failed to issue their election policy on health, saying it was time for them ''to put up or shut up''.

Mrs Burke branded the call petulant. ''Our policies will be released as and when we deem appropriate.''

Ms Gallagher criticised the ''token'' commitments on mental health from the Liberals. ''If they think that $950,000 per year will cover the increased demand for services over the next four years, they are kidding themselves,'' Ms Gallagher said. ''Just keeping up with current demand is costing $2 million per annum ... It doesn't cover the cost of increasing services or funding new services such as the new adult inpatient facility.''