Embargoed until 11am AEDT, Mon 21 Oct 2024
Scorecard ranks major parties’ Public Health promises to Queenslanders
Queensland’s peak body for Public Health has ranked how the major parties compare on areas including protecting women and children, climate action, and investments in prevention efforts which keep people from needing the hospital system.
The scorecard from the Public Health Association of Australia’s Queensland Branch is part of its Vote for Public Health election campaign platform, which it has organised with the state branch of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA®)
Graded like traffic lights, the scorecard was calculated based on questionnaires sent to the parties, as well as statements taken directly from the respective parties’ platform, against five election “asks”:
- Invest in prevention within and beyond the health system;
- Protect women and children;
- Act boldly on climate change;
- Support self-determination for First Nations’ health
- Build our Public Health and Heath Promotion workforce
“We encourage eligible voters to consider where the major parties stand, because we believe that should the next Queensland Government act on those five areas, it will improve the health and wellbeing of everyone across the state,” PHAA QLD Branch President, Associate Professor Amie Steel, said.
“Serious efforts to reduce the likelihood of people getting sick will alleviate pressures on our ambulances and hospitals, and also the cost of living.”
Also, the PHAA QLD Branch has written to the LNP Leader David Crisafulli to clarify is party’s stance on Abortion Care. Mr Crisafulli’s response is available here. It comes as news reports again show LNP politicians laying the ground work to repeal Queensland’s abortion laws should they form government.
“While Mr Crisafulli’s letter says changes to abortion laws `are not a part of the LNP’s plans, we have ruled that out’, LNP candidates such as Freya Ostapovitch have been quoted as saying they need to form government first,” Assoc Prof Steel said.
“We are not convinced by the LNP’s denials.”
ENDS
For further information/comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, plord@phaa.net.au
About us:
About the Public Health Association of Australia
We’re Australia's peak body for public health and advocate for the health and wellbeing of everyone. We strive to help prevent – rather than cure – illness and disease.
Our campaigns and activities span numerous public health issues from environmental health, immunisation and pandemic control, through to tobacco, gambling, physical activity, junk food marketing, preventive mental health, health education and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Our 2,000+ individual members represent over 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We also have branches in every State and Territory. Learn more at phaa.net.au
Contact details:
For further information/comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, plord@phaa.net.au