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Government Federal, Medical Health Aged Care

Alcohol and other drug health hearings begin

House of Representatives < 1 mins read

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will convene a series of public hearings next week in support of its inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia. The hearings will be held in Melbourne on 28 and 29 October, and in Brisbane on 30 October 2024.

Committee Chair, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said that the inquiry had attracted significant public interest since commencing in August.

‘The Committee has received a large number of written submissions highlighting several crucial issues, including the stigma preventing early intervention, links between substance use and domestic violence, and opportunities for better service integration,’ Dr Freelander said.

‘We are looking forward to exploring these issues in greater depth during our public hearings.’

The hearings will be attended by representatives of peak bodies specialising in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) treatment, leading Australian researchers and clinicians, and government and non-government AOD service providers.

Public hearings

Date: Monday, 28 October 2024
Time: 11.30am – 3.45pm AEDT
Location: Mantra on Russell, Melbourne

Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Time: 8.45am – 2.15pm AEDT
Location: Mantra on Russell, Melbourne

Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm AEST
Location: Queensland Parliament House, Brisbane

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website.

Media inquiries

Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair
Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au
(02) 4620 0293

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4145
Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

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