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Five steps for a healthier state: South Australian Public Health consortium

MEDIA RELEASE: South Australia’s leading public health organisations have released a plan of five evidence-based priorities that if enacted by the next state government will lay the foundations for a healthier and happier population.

The Consortium comprises the SA Branches of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA), and the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS). We all share a vision for a healthy, flourishing state, where every person has the opportunity to live well and prosper.

Our priorities are:
1. Increase investment in public health, disease prevention and health promotion
2. Build the capacity of the public health workforce into the future and beyond COVID-19
3. Reduce the harms from alcohol through the introduction of a floor price for the cheapest alcohol
4. Establish an independent state-wide monitoring system for health inequities
5. Create healthier environments for children.

The Consortium’s plan builds on South Australia’s successful COVID-19 response which demonstrated collaborative decision-making, to ensure the best possible balance between economic security, mental wellbeing, and safety from community transmission of the virus.

“The way SA Health and the wider community united and confronted the pandemic was commendable and definitely saved lives,” says PHAA SA Branch President, Dr Jacquie Bowden.

“Now is the time to build on those successes by enacting a plan to deal with numerous public health challenges that have not diminished while we’ve been battling COVID-19.”
The first priority involves an ongoing investment of a minimum of at least five per cent of the SA health budget on public health prevention.

“Taking this step would mean that SA follows best practice and brings us into line with countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom,” says Dr Bowden.

“This investment will achieve the strategic vision of Wellbeing SA, so that South Australia is equipped to tackle health inequities across the state, and ensure a fairer health system for all, beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The second priority concerns the state’s public health workforce. Successive governments have made numerous cuts to the local preventive health workforces since the 2012 McCann Review of Non-Hospital Based Services.

This is unsustainable and limits the government’s capacity to deliver essential health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, coupled with the challenges of public health professionals who will be retiring in the coming five to 10 years.

“The next SA Government must urgently undertake a comprehensive review of the state’s preventive health workforce in order to develop an effective and sustainable workforce development strategy,” Dr Stefania Velardo, President of the AHPA SA Branch, says.

“We call for a dedicated employment training and development program for health promotion and disease prevention practitioners, as is seen in other states, to stimulate jobs and provide career pathways for practitioners with unique skills and expertise.”

Another priority involves creating an independent, state-wide monitoring system for health inequities. An online system available for all sectors of government and the public would show where the problems are and provide an evidence-base to formulate interventions and track progress over time.

Ross Womersley, SACOSS CEO said “While South Australia already collects a range of data and information, we know that health and social inequities occur across the health system. However, we do not necessarily have sufficiently independent and detailed analysis to aid us in responding effectively to these inequities.

“If we expand and deepen the scope of the state-wide monitoring work, we will be in a better position to pinpoint the associated determinants that impact on people’s health and wellbeing. This will enable us to argue for better resourcing in determinant areas such as the appropriateness of housing, levels and quality of employment and education, and digital inclusion amongst others.”

“There is no doubt that by analysing socio-demographic trends and geographic inequities, we can gain information about where preventative health interventions most need to be directed and will be of most benefit.” says SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley.

Another priority of the Consortium’s concerns setting a floor price for the cheapest forms of alcohol which is known to be an efficient and cost-effective strategy to reduce many harms from alcohol including hospital admissions, injury, assaults and child protection notifications. The fifth priority is to create healthier environments for children by reducing their exposure to the marketing of unhealthy products on government property and revising the food and drink policy for South Australian schools and preschools to ensure more nutritious options.

Taken together, these five priorities will lead to a healthier, happier state. The benefits will be considerable and will build on the successful health actions that have helped South Australia to confront and defeat COVID-19. We call on our MPs to support these priorities for the next election.

More information about the Consortium’s election platform can be found here, including a two-page summary 

FOR INTERVIEW:
PHAA SA Branch President, Dr Jacquie Bowden/ SAPres@phaa.net.au
SACOSS CEO, Ross Womersley / ross@sacoss.org.au
AHPA SA Branch President, Dr Stefania Velardo / sabranch@healthpromotion.org.au 

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08 8305 4222

sacoss@sacoss.org.au

Marjorie Black House
47 King William Road Unley SA 5061

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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.