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Building a healthier South Australia – SA Public Health Consortium

Building a healthier South Australia – SA Public Health Consortium

Expanding the ban on unhealthy food advertising, introducing an equitable school lunch program and researching the impact of the state’s algal bloom headline the South Australia Public Health Consortium’s 2026 State Election platform.

The consortium represents the state’s leading public health organisations. It is made up of the SA branches of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA), as well as the South Australian Council of Social Service.

It is calling on all political parties contesting the upcoming election to support the following priorities:

  • Extending SA’s unhealthy food advertising ban to include all publicly owned assets, and expanding the scope to include alcohol and gambling advertisements
  • Examining the feasibility of introducing an equitable school lunch program in SA
  • Investing in research to assess the long-term health and wellbeing impacts of the harmful algal bloom crisis
  • Establishing a ‘Tobacco Free Generation’ in SA, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009
  • Developing a Whole of Government Health Promotion and Public Health Workforce Strategy
  • Continuing investment in the People’s Health Voice to elevate community insight into equity-focused public health reform

The consortium acknowledges the government’s action on its previous advocacy priorities, including the establishment of Preventive Health SA and the ongoing role of the Chief Public Health Officer. However, according to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures, SA is only spending 2.24% of its total health expenditure on public health; this is less than half of the target of 5% according to the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-30 and a clear plan is needed to double this investment. This platform would be an important start.

Full details of the SA Public Health Consortium’s 2026 State Election Platform are available at: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/Web/About/Branches/SA-Branch.aspx

On Monday February 23 the consortium is also hosting a free virtual public election forum bringing together key South Australian political candidates, including the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon. Chris Picton, and the Shadow Health Minister, the Hon. Heidi Girolamo, to discuss the public health challenges facing our community. More information/registration is available at: https://www.phaa.net.au/Web/Events/2026-SA-Forum.aspx

 

Quotes attributable to President of PHAA SA Branch, Dr Mary Brushe

There are many benefits from preventing people from getting sick in the first place including reducing pressure on hospitals and ambulance services.

By investing in prevention and public health, it saves South Australians money in the long term and reduces the increasing burden of chronic diseases. 

Obesity is now the state’s leading risk factor for preventable health conditions. The next government can help address this challenge by ensuring people see less advertising for unhealthy products and investing in a school lunch program that helps to create healthier eating habits for life.

Quotes attributable to the President of AHPA SA/NT Branch, Talia Blythman

South Australia is facing real pressure from public health workforce shortages – especially in local government and environmental health -and it’s limiting our ability to prevent illness and respond quickly when emergencies occur.

Right now, South Australia has no dedicated strategy to tackle the public health workforce challenges we’re experiencing. We’re calling for a whole‑of‑government workforce strategy that strengthens planning, builds clear training pathways, improves retention, and supports the capacity of the people who keep our communities healthy.

A strong health promotion and public health workforce strategy is essential if we want to improve health equity across our state and ensure we’re ready to respond when emergencies arise.

Quotes attributable to SACOSS CEO, Dr Catherine Earl

We know what drives poor health outcomes for many South Australians – it’s not just about access to hospitals; it’s about the conditions people live in every day. Health equity won’t be achieved in emergency departments and hospitals alone – it will also be achieved in classrooms, on public transport, and with the community.

The preventive health policies in our platform aren’t just cost-effective – they’re a matter of fairness. Preventive Health SA’s work so far has been encouraging but there’s so much more than could be done. The communities experiencing the worst health outcomes face more exposure to health harms and less access to healthy options.  Real change happens when we remove the structural barriers that keep some people trapped in cycles of poor health.

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JEREMY BROWN

Jeremy is currently the Chief Executive at Uniting Communities and is deeply committed to cultivating a strong, values-driven organisational culture that places people and community at its core. His leadership style is grounded in empathy, innovation, and strategic growth, ensuring that Uniting Communities continues to deliver inclusive and impactful services to more than 80,000 South Australians each year.

His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Novita Services and Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Care (SA). He has also had a long-standing association with SACOSS where he served as a member of their Policy Council.

MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.