The PHAA has called the introduction of legislation to establish the Australian CDC ‘a momentous day’ for public health. And for lovers of Australian rock puns.
Federal minister for health Mark Butler has introduced two bills into Parliament today designed to establish an independent Australian Centre for Disease Control.
The two bills are the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025, which provides the primary legislation for the CDC’s establishment, and the Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025, which includes necessary amendments to existing legislation.
The draft legislation outlines the public health functions of the CDC’s director-general, including:
- advising Australian Government ministers on public health matters;
- advising, and consulting with, Australian Government bodies, state and territory bodies, international bodies and peak bodies;
- collecting, analysing and sharing information and data related to public health;
- developing, publishing and promoting guidelines, statements and standards;
- conducting, supporting and promoting community awareness activities and educational campaigns;
- publishing reports, information and papers.
The CATP Bill includes consequential amendments to the:
- Biosecurity Act 2015;
- National Health Security Act 2007;
- National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Act 2023;
- Australian National Preventive Health Agency Act 2010; and,
- Freedom of Information Act 1982.
In his speech introducing the bills, Mr Butler said the establishment of the CDC would bring Australian into line with countries such as Canada, the UK, Singapore and most European countries, which already have well established national public health institutes.
“We’ve committed $251.7 million to establish and operate the Australian CDC, as well as ongoing funding of $73.3 million from 2028-29.
“The Australian people deserve public health data, insights and advice that is high quality, nationally coordinated and responsive,” he said.
“We know there will be another pandemic, and the Australian CDC will make sure we are better prepared.”
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, said he and his colleagues were “thrilled”.
“This decision by the Albanese government to deliver on its promise to legislate to create the Australian CDC is the fulfilment of something that Australia has needed for decades,” said Professor Terry Slevin.
“Subject to the passage of the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025 through the senate, the timetable of the new agency opening its doors on 1 January 2026 can now be met.
“We look forward to parliament finalising the details in the next few months so that the new CDC can get cracking and be ambitious in its goals.
“There is an absolutely packed agenda for this agency.
“With Australia facing challenges like the threat of bird flu, and public health misinformation and falling immunisation rates, the Australian CDC will provide a central, credible source of information.
“We hope it will grow and evolve to a key leadership role in public health in Australia, and be resourced accordingly,” said Professor Slevin.
“We don’t know when the next infectious pandemic may come, but this agency helps us get prepared. And when it comes, it will lead the response.
“While infectious disease preparedness and response is the immediate priority, the Australian CDC will also play an important role in chronic disease prevention. There are also many people across the continent who are suffering much preventable non-communicable chronic disease.
“We hope we will look back on 2025, and the efforts of health minister Mark Butler especially, as a turning point in the nation’s health.
“We look forward to reviewing the detail of the bill.”
