Public health groups are delighted that legislation to create an Australian Centre for Disease Control – the most important piece of public health infrastructure in generations – has today passed the Senate and can start next year.
"Thanks to the many people who've put in hard work and long nights, showing it's a long way to the top to get a Centre for Disease Control," Adj Prof Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia, says.
"This is a moment for the public health history books, and is testament to the tenacity of countless people who've toiled for decades to achieve this.
"This centre will save lives, not just here but also overseas as it will increase our links with our neighbours.
"Thank you not just the members and senators who voted in favour of the bills, but also their advisers. We also thank the tireless public servants who have dedicated more than three years to turn this idea into a reality. They patiently took our calls, read our emails, and listened to briefings by ourselves and many other individuals and groups from the health and medical communities."
This has been a collective effort which dates to the late 1980s. A CDC was also a recommendation in Australia's COVID-19 Response Inquiry.
The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control, which began in January 2024, will become a permanent agency effective 1 January 2026.
"An Australian CDC is now more important than ever," Adj Prof Slevin says.
"Childhood vaccination rates are falling, misinformation is rife, the health harms from climate change are growing, and our country faces new and old infectious disease threats. The tsunami of preventable chronic disease must also be addressed.
"A permanent Australian CDC will ensure we are better prepared for future pandemics by providing a central body to coordinate and co-operate with states and territories. It will be a central source of up-to-date information and expertise across a range of health issues. It will also engage with other similar bodies around the world to gather and share intelligence.
"We also expect the Australian CDC to take leadership to help our country tackle the growing burden of preventable chronic disease.
"The Australian CDC will provide evidence based independent frank and fearless advice to the Australian government, state and territory governments, and the wider community on key public health issues.
"Today, Australia's Parliament has helped the government to make a major, positive advance for the public's health. We look with sadness at what the US Government is doing to dismantle its CDC and attack independent, objective science. We are thankful our parliament and our government has shown their commitment to boost Australia's health and expert scientific information, and we applaud them."
"This is a very good day for the health of current and future generations of people in Australia."
