New AMA head to tone down asylum criticism

The new president of the Australian Medical Association says he will stick to health when discussing asylum seeker policy.

West Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist Michael Gannon was elected on Sunday to succeed outgoing AMA leader Professor Brian Owler.

"If you ever hear me talking about (asylum policy) I'll be talking about the health of asylum seekers, I won't be making any comments about broader policy," he told ABC radio on Monday.