PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE www.phaa.net.au 21 December 2014 Public Health Association of Australia Welcomes New Minister Sussan Ley The CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). Michael Moore, has welcomed the appointment of Sussan Ley to the Cabinet position as Minister for Health. “We look forward to working with the new minister and understanding her specific directions in health. As the Member for Farrer, the Minister’s has demonstrated her understanding of the challenges of people in the bush. No doubt she is also aware of the huge challenges and the differences in health outcomes for people in regional and remote areas,” Mr Moore said. “These are some of the social determinants of health that can be addressed through thoroughly researched policies and careful targeting of resources”. “We also look forward to robust discussions over issues such as the GP co-payment which the PHAA believes will undermine the system of primary health care and place an inappropriate burden on doctors whose role will change from physician to tax collector,” added Mr Moore. “We do not expect to have agreement on all of our policies but certainly look forward to working together wherever possible to improve the health of the people of Australia. The PHAA also offered its congratulations to Minister Peter Dutton in his new role as Minister for Immigration and Mr Moore thanked the minister for his willingness to listen and to engage around health issues as Minister and through the time that he was opposition spokesman on health. “We did have some differences in approach to policy, for example over the GP co-payment in its various forms, but despite the occasional differences the minister was willing to meet regularly and his office was always prepared to consider the perspective of the PHAA. We were particularly pleased that Peter Dutton was willing to work with us closely on a number of matters that we believe were important to public health such as immunisation and the tobacco tax. “The changes have come as a surprise to the PHAA,” added Mr Moore. “However, we will continue to work effectively with the Assistant Minister, Fiona Nash and welcome the appointment of Ms Ley as the Cabinet Minister. For further information/comment: Michael Moore CEO PHAA 0417 249 731 or 02 6285 2373