At a public forum with candidates for the federal seat of Curtin today, Western Australian health professionals will urge politicians to put the health of Western Australians first in the lead up to the federal election.
The forum in Shenton Park will be supported by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), and the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). Confirmed candidates are Ms Kate Chaney MP (Independent), Dr Viktor Ko (Labor) and Ms Kitty Hemsley (Greens). Also invited: Tom White (Liberal)
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said, “Climate change is not just a hypothetical concept. The world is already feeling the effects of climate change and we are paying the price with our health and homes.
“Health is firmly at the centre of the agenda at the upcoming federal election, and if political parties are serious about committing to protect the health of everyone in Australia, action on climate change is non-negotiable.
“As part of our comprehensive Plan for Accessible, Affordable General Practice care for all Australia, the RACGP is calling on all political parties to commit to fully fund the implementation of the National Health and Climate Strategy.
“General practice is the most efficient part of our health system. We know that keeping people well in the community and reducing demand on hospitals is good for your health, good for our economy and good for the environment.
“Our leaders must take action on climate change and invest in general practice, to ensure a robust and sustainable healthcare system which can bear the burden of increasing sickness and injuries resulting from the climate crisis.”
Dr Richard Yin, spokesperson for the WA branch of Doctors for the Environment Australia said: “As doctors, we see firsthand how our changing climate is taking its toll on our communities.
“Heatwaves, floods and storms, bushfires and bushfire smoke, and drought are increasing the risks of heart attacks, cancers, asthma, infectious diseases, kidney disease and mental illness.
“Long after a natural disaster ends, its social and mental impacts will continue to impact the health of people in WA for years. In particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, children and marginalised populations will be disproportionately affected.
“The effects will also put additional pressure on our already overburdened healthcare system.
“Nationally we must set more ambitious emissions reduction targets and phase out our dependence on coal, gas and oil. WA is currently the only state without an emissions reduction target and our emissions continue to rise, driven largely by our gas exports, and there are plans for further gas expansion through the North-West Shelf extension.
“Addressing climate pollution should be viewed as a public health act. All candidates from Curtin should put the health of their electorate first and commit to strong climate action.”
Ainslee Sartori, the WA branch President of the PHAA said: "It's vital that the people of Curtin elect a national representative who will champion issues relating to public health, including the impacts on our health caused by climate change. This forum will put candidates on the spot, and we very much look forward to hearing their commitments."
Forum details
Friday 28 March 2025, 6:00-7:30 pm, Shenton Park Community Centre, 240 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park WA 6008
Note to the editor:
The evidence that climate change is a significant and growing health risk for people in WA is indisputable:
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This was the second hottest summer on record, and this week Perth is expecting a late March heatwave with temperatures not seen for 40 years.
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WA continues having bushfires, including one last week in the northern suburb of Woodland that took 50 firefighters to contain and another fire two weeks ago at Ledge Point, 105km north of Perth, that burnt 800 hectares and threatened homes.
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Recent research projected that heat-related deaths in Perth could rise by over 60% by 2050, and heat-related hospital admissions and ED presentations could lead to an estimated $30 million increase in healthcare costs.
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CSIRO and BOM projections estimate up to a tenfold increase in days over 40 degrees within the lifetime of children living in Broome today.
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Climate change has increased cardiovascular, respiratory vector-borne illnesses (eg, Ross River virus), neurological disorders and mental health.
~ENDS
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