The Victorian Greens are alarmed by the abolition of VicHealth as part of Labor's sweeping public sector cuts. A move that the Greens believe is political cover for Labor's own budget mismanagement at the cost of Victoria's essential public services.
VicHealth has been a world leader in public health promotion for almost 40 years. Their work on tobacco harm reduction is historic, and included the extraordinary step of buying out tobacco company sponsorship of sports and the arts in 1988.
It has support from across the political spectrum, with protected ongoing funding, its abolition and absorption into the Department of Health is a shock for workers and for the health sector and will compromise the efficiency of Victoria's health services.
VicHealth's independence from government has been a critical pillar of its success, enabling it to take on massive commercial interests that cause harm to the health of Victorians, including the food and beverage industry, big tobacco and alcohol, and gambling.
VicHealth can say things that governments too often don't want to hear. They provide a voice to counter the corporations plugging junk food, alcohol and cigarettes - corporations that often capture Labor and Liberal governments.
Without VicHealth, Victorians will once again be at the mercy of these powerful corporations without proper scrutiny.
As stated by Dr Sarah Mansfield, Victorian Greens Health Spokesperson:
"The Allan Labor government's decision to absorb VicHealth into the department of health spells the death of its independence, and undermines a key strength of this vital public health institution.
"VicHealth has always been willing to take on the big corporate interests that harm Victorians' health, like the junk food industry, big tobacco and alcohol, and gambling - something the Allan Labor government has repeatedly demonstrated they're too afraid of doing.
"The Allan Labor government is putting short-term political interests ahead of health promotion and prevention, which ironically, will just end up costing our health system even more."
