Media alert
14 September 2026
Public health experts in Victoria have challenged candidates contesting the November state election to think bigger than hospitals and acute care by supporting actions which prevent people from getting sick in the first place.
The experts will on Tuesday launch their Vote for Public Health campaign at the Australian Public Health Conference in Geelong / Wadawurrung Country, which runs 15 – 17 September.
“We know how to keep people healthy and well and combat chronic illnesses, and it involves a metaphorical fence at the top of the cliff, not the ambulance at the bottom,” PHAA Victoria Branch President, Mariam Hachem, said.
“Properly funding local public health units, allocating five percent of the health budget to prevention, protecting VicHealth’s independence, and boosting our specialised work force all help get us there.”
More than 400 people have registered for the conference at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention Centre. The full program is here.
Keynote speakers include Nobel peace prize laureate Assoc Prof Tilman Ruff AO from the board of ICAN, and Alliance for Gambling Reform's Rev Tim Costello AO who will discuss corporate influences on public health.
Another plenary session covers Indigenous health leadership, while another covers illicit tobacco, changes in health behaviour, and GLP1 drugs and obesity prevention.
VicHealth CEO, Prof Anna Peeters AM, will deliver the 2026 Basil Hetzel Oration at 4:20pm AEST on Wednesday on “Leading Prevention and Equity through Complex Systems”.
Media are invited to join us in person / virtually for our plenary sessions.
WHO: Public Health Association of Australia Victoria Branch
WHAT: Launch of the Vote for Public Health state election campaign
WHEN: 10:30am AEST, Tues 15 Sept (Conference opening begins 9am).
WHERE: Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention & Event Centre, 80 Western Beach Rd, Geelong
For further information/comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, [email protected]
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. We represent around 2,000 individual members from more than 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We have branches in every state and territory. Learn more at https://www.phaa.net.au/
Contact details:
For further information/comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, [email protected]