Annual Report 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020
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Contents
Introduction ...... 3 The PHAA Board ...... 6 PHAA National Office Staff ...... 7 President’s Report ...... 8 Vice-President, Policy Report ...... 11 Vice-President, Development Report ...... 13 Vice President, Finance Report...... 15 Vice President, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Report ...... 17 Early Career Professional Representative Report ...... 19 Chief Executive Officer’s Report ...... 24 Membership ...... 27 Policy and Advocacy ...... 28 Media and Communications ...... 37 Events ...... 42 Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH) ...... 49 Branch Reports ...... 51 Special Interest Group Reports...... 63
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Introduction
The Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated (PHAA) is recognised as the principal non- government organisation for public health in Australia and works to promote the health and well- being of all Australians. The Association seeks better population health outcomes based on prevention, the social determinants of health and equity principles. PHAA is a national organisation comprising around 1,700 individual members and representing over 40 professional groups. The PHAA has Branches in every State and Territory and a wide range of Special Interest Groups. The Branches work with the National Office in providing policy advice, in organising seminars and public events and in mentoring public health professionals. This work is based on the agreed policies of the PHAA. Our Special Interest Groups provide specific expertise, peer review and professionalism in assisting the National Organisation to respond to issues and challenges, as well as leading the development of policy position statements. In addition to these groups the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH) draws on individuals from within PHAA who provide editorial advice, and review and edit the Journal. In recent years PHAA has further developed its role in advocacy to achieve the best possible health outcomes for the community, both through working with all levels of Government and agencies, and promoting key policies and advocacy goals through the media, public events and other means.
Vision for a healthy population PHAA has a vision for a healthy region, a healthy nation, healthy people: living in an equitable society underpinned by a well-functioning ecosystem and healthy environment, improving, and promoting health for all.
Mission for the Public Health Association of Australia As the leading national peak body for public health representation and advocacy, to drive better health outcomes through increased knowledge, better access and equity, evidence informed policy and effective population-based practice in public health.
Priorities for 2020 and beyond Key roles of the organisation include capacity building, advocacy and the development of policy advice. Core to our work is an evidence base drawn from a wide range of members working in public health practice, research, administration and related fields who volunteer their time to inform policy, support advocacy and assist in capacity building within the sector. The aims of the PHAA include commitments to: Advancing a caring, generous and equitable Australian society with particular respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first peoples of the nation; Promote and strengthen public health research, knowledge, training and practice; Promote a healthy and ecologically sustaining human society across Australia, including tackling global warming, environmental change and a sustainable population;
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Promote universally accessible people centred and health promoting primary health care and hospital services that are complemented by health and community workforce training and development; Promote universal health literacy as part of comprehensive health care; Support health promoting settings, including the home, as the norm; Assist other countries in our region to protect the health of their populations, and to advocate for trade policies that enable them to do so; Promote the PHAA as a vibrant living model of its vision and aims. The reduction of social and health inequities should be an over-arching goal of national policy and recognised as a key measure of our progress as a society. The Australian Government, in collaboration with the States/Territories, should outline a comprehensive national cross-government framework on reducing health inequities. All public health activities and related government policy should be directed towards reducing social and health inequity nationally and, where possible, internationally.
Health Equity As outlined in the Association’s objectives: Health is a human right, a vital resource for everyday life, and a key factor in sustainability. Health equity and inequity do not exist in isolation from the conditions of society that underpin people’s health. The health status of all people is impacted by the social, political, and environmental and economic determinants of health. Specific focus on these determinants is necessary to reduce the unfair and unjust effects of conditions of living that cause poor health and disease. PHAA also notes that: Health inequity differs from health inequality. A health inequality arises when two or more groups are compared on some aspect of health and found to differ. Whether this inequality (disparity) is inequitable, however, requires a judgement (based on a concept of social justice) that the inequality is unfair and/or unjust and/or avoidable. Inequity is a political concept while inequality refers to measurable differences between (or among, or within) groups. Health inequity occurs as a result of unfair, unjust social treatment – by governments, organisations and people, resulting in political and economicstructures and policies that create living and working conditions that are harmful to health, distribute essential health and other public services inequitably or unfairly, preventing some communities and people from participating fully in the cultural, social or community life of society.
Health Values and the Ecosystem The PHAA recognises the foundational role of the Earth's ecosystems to human civilisation, prosperity, health and wellbeing, the nature of humanity’s inextricable relationships with the ecosystem of which we are a part. Within this context we recognise that these ecological determinants of health (an Eco-social viewpoint) are entwined with health and wellbeing along with socially determined influences. Additionally, the PHAA will act itself, and call for action, for the
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promotion and protection of the health of the ecosystems in a concerted manner in its policy development and implementation.
Social Determinants of Health The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. The determinants of health inequities are largely outside the health system and relate to the inequitable distribution of social, economic and cultural resources and opportunities. Health inequities are the result of the interaction of a range of factors including: macro politico-economic structures and policy; living and working conditions; cultural, social and community influences; and individual lifestyle factors.
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The PHAA Board
David Templeman Associate Professor Christina Pollard President Vice-President, Policy
Rohan Greenland Dr Paul Gardiner Vice-President, Vice-President, Finance Development
Dr Summer May Finlay Dr Aimee Brownbill Vice-President, Early Career Professional representative Aboriginal and Torres Chair of the Students and Young Strait Islander Peoples Professionals in Public Health Group (SYYPH)
Kate Kameniar Dr Devin Bowles Branch President Branch President representative representative
Dr Kathryn Backholer Dr Lea Merone Special Interest Group Convenor Special Interest Group Convenor representative representative
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin
Chief Executive Officer
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PHAA National Office Staff
Adjunct Professor Anne Brown Terry Slevin Operations and Finance Manager Chief Executive Officer
Gemma Beet Karina Martin Membership and Media and Communications Administration Officer Manager
Dr Ingrid Johnston Malcolm Baalman Senior Policy Officer Senior Policy Officer
Nicole Rutter Eliza Van Der Kley Events and Capacity Events Officer Building Manager
Jamie Evans Ellie Hayes Events Officer Events Assistant
Membership & Administration Officer Media & Communications Manager Rodrigo Paramo (July – Nov 2019) Toni Hassan (July 2019-Feb 2020) Sharmeen Hossain (Oct 2019 – Feb 2020) Rebecca Blackburn (Feb – May 2020)
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President’s Report
While this report covers the period to 30th June, it is released at this year’s Annual General Meeting of our Association, where after four years I will hand over to an incoming President. The period Dec 2019/June 2020 has been in my view one of the most significant periods where the health and wellbeing of all Australians has been front and centre for our national leadership, ably supported by the professionalism and standing of our public health communities. I say this when David Templeman considering the devastating consequences of the 2019/20 summer bushfires President (the single largest natural disaster in Australia’s history) followed by the critical impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Faced with ongoing community uncertainty and anxiety, PHAA has been strongly represented through an outstanding quality Board backed up by magnificent staff and a committed membership—thank you. Throughout these crises, PHAA has maintained its resolve to see our political leadership invest more in preventive health measures. Sadly, gaps in health workforce, combined with some deficiencies in planning for sudden major public health emergencies (such as the bushfires and the pandemic) have let communities down. We have seen significant escalation in smoke inhalation related deaths and hospital admissions from the fires, combined with disastrous COVID-19 second wave outcomes, directly attributable to poor planning investment plus insufficient workforce capacity, capability and coordination. Future health budgets will be driven by national responsibilities for a rapidly ageing and living longer population combined with a significant upsurge in mental health priorities affecting all ages, principally brought about by COVID-19's ongoing and emerging influence on the many social, cultural and economic impacts of health. The PHAA membership who stepped up in Feb/Mar 2020 as members of the dedicated PHAA COVID- 19 Technical Expert Response Committee and Advisory Group deserve special mention and acclamation. Their initiative was warmly welcomed by the Australian Health Principal Policy Committee (AHPPC), the key health advisory body working to National Cabinet which comprised all State and Territory Premiers/Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister—well done. Throughout the year, PHAA work and so many other ongoing priorities have not dissipated, but first and foremost in the minds of the Board was the care and interest of staff welfare and their ongoing employment arrangements with PHAA. We were very quick out of the blocks in ensuring PHAA access to Government funding opportunities under COVID-19 to access funding boost grants and JobKeeper benefits. As a result, our end of year financial situation has been far better than expected thanks to the excellent oversight and management by our Business Manager Anne Brown with assistance from Rodrigo, Sharmeen and Gemma. As many PHAA members would be aware, a significant portion of PHAA resourcing is derived from fee paying events such as conferences and fora. Due to COVID-19, the potential and immediate loss of revenue required our events team to not only dismantle already planned and programmed activities but also to re-design and construct major virtual activities while ensuring that the quality
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and standards of PHAA events were maintained. I have to say that the best example of efficiency and program re-arrangement occurred with the May 2020 Preventive Health Conference leading to an outstanding success including a more than doubling of registrations. This success has seen the PHAA Events Team led by Nicole Rutter and her formidable backup, namely Eliza, Ellie and Jamie grow in stature with an increasing level of events and conferences planned in 2020/21, with 5 national and 1 international event/s during July 2020 to June 2021 including a Special Edition – Australasian COVID- 19 Virtual Conference in December and a Virtual Pre-Conference Global Injury Prevention Showcase in March 2021. PHAA policy contribution and debate have not waned. Led by our Vice President Policy, Christina Pollard, with senior policy officers Malcolm Baalman and Ingrid Johnston, PHAA has made dozens of submissions to, and appeared before, many jurisdictional inquiries. Among the most important of these in the context of health policy were our submission into the Inquiry into the Government’s Response to COVID-19, our submissions on Lessons to be Learned in Relation to the 2019-20 Bushfire Season, and our annual Strategic Directions submission for the Commonwealth Budget. I am delighted to welcome Karina Martin back to PHAA in her capacity as Communications Manager. Karina’s expertise and network combined with public health experience was fortuitous given the many and competing demands of public interest mainly driven by the fires and COVID-19. The Board has placed significant reliance on Karina, supported by Jeremy Lasek in providing balanced but sometimes firm concerns about health priorities especially when it came to addressing environmental and ecological impacts together with workforce deficiency. Previous communication support provided by Toni Hassan and Rebecca Blackburn is acknowledged. Finally, on the PHAA staffing front may I commend our CEO, Terry Slevin who completed his initial two years with PHAA in May 2020. In recognition of Terry’s strong and committed representation/performance including his high-profile level of political, government and media engagement, the Board decided to renew Terry’s employment with PHAA for a further three years. This year’s AGM will also see some other changes in PHAA Board composition. Besides the President PHAA vacancy, our Vice President Policy (Christina Pollard), Vice President Development (Rohan Greenland) and Early Career Professional Representative (Aimee Brownbill) are due for change. The Board greatly appreciates their leadership in particular for Christina’s personal oversight in re- shaping the revision/update of PHAA policies, to Rohan for setting our strategy direction taking into consideration the many and competing variables which affect and influence public health, and to Aimee, not only her vision for PHAA early career focus but applying the importance of mentoring and encouragement in those key foundation steps when embarking on a public health career. To remaining and continuing Board members, thank you for your support. Everything the PHAA does must ensure we consider our First Australians interests, something which we do exceptionally well with a solid representation and advocacy from Summer May Finlay, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vice President, and a matter where PHAA performance in the eyes of Reconciliation Australia has been the acceptance of our Reconciliation Action Plan and ongoing review. As previously mentioned, PHAA financial and fiduciary governance has necessitated a high order oversight throughout COVID-19, and the Board acknowledges our Vice President Finance, Paul Gardiner in taking on this role in an ever changing and dynamic circumstance.
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Our Branch and Special Interest Group Board Representatives do not go unnoticed. They are the eyes and ears on the ground with capability to coordinate and ensure that local and specific experience and new developments are captured in terms of PHAA policy contribution and organisational priorities. The efforts of Lea Merone, Kathryn Backholer, Devin Bowles and Kate Kameniar deserve special mention. Finally, to John Lowe, the driving force behind the PHAA Journal which continues to surpass all expectations in readership and contribution application, a key feature in elevating the profile and domestic/international reputation of PHAA. It has been a privilege to have been a member of the PHAA Board. I wish PHAA every success for the future.
David Templeman, President
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Vice-President, Policy Report
PHAA as an organisation prides itself on the range and sweep of our policy activities, and the fact that our policies are based on science, expertise, and evidence. Our membership – over 36% of whom have doctoral qualifications or above, and many more have other qualifications or are students coming through – is a reservoir of national expertise. We are taken seriously as an organisation by governments, academic institutions, other organisations, the media, and the public because of this reputation. Our public role following the emergence of COVID is testament to our expertise and standing in policy debates. Dr Christina Pollard Vice President, Policy At present we have 96 policy position statements approved and published. Each year about a third of the policy position statements are due for review, and new statements are created. In the 2019-20 policy cycle 38 existing statements were reviewed and 2 new ones created. The PHAA process involves the creation and review of timely, evidence-informed, and relevant policy position statements with clear advocacy asks. The Policy team work with Special Interest Group convenors and members to identify policy needs and draw on the appropriate public health expertise. During policy development special interest groups and individual expert PHAA members are brought together. The final policy position statements then form the basis of both opportunistic and planned advocacy. The 2020 cycle has been disrupted to some degree by the working-from home and other restrictions brought on by COVID, but our process has pressed on as best it can. I would like to express my appreciation for the many PHAA members who contribute time and expertise to our policy process. If you are interested in being involved please speak to your SIG convenor, the PHAA policy team or simply give feedback when statements are out for consultation on the members’ policy Forum. We also particularly welcome early career public health members’ engagement in this process. Our policy position statements are not just idle documents. The Policy team in our National Office, working with SIGs and individual members, are constantly at work in making submissions to parliamentary inquiries and committee, government agency consultations, and other policy debate exercises. This reporting year has seen another 50 submissions made, covering all aspects of PHAA’s interests. Our CEO, Policy team, and members follow up with appearances before inquiry hearings, and media advocacy for our policy goals. This year’s most dramatic public issues were, no doubt, first the nation’s worst ever bushfire season, which presented a range of urgent public health challenges, and then of course the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s most dramatic public health emergency in a century. These issues have stretched our staff, SIGs and members like never before. But other public health challenges, including the fight against obesity, harmful products, and a range of social injustices have continued to be of concern, despite being relatively deprived of attention.
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I would finally like to reflect that the past year has seen continuing discussion of the circumstances in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have been placed by our nation’s history, and of the leadership which Indigenous communities, organisations and people have themselves shown to improve their health and wellbeing. PHAA will remain a champion and supporter of their work.
Christina Pollard, Vice- President, Policy
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Vice-President, Development Report
Many of the tasks assigned to the Vice President (Development) over the past 12 months have been - like much else - gravely disrupted by the impact COVID-19 has had on our world, our country, our mission and our membership. One of my more significant pre-pandemic tasks has been the review and renewal of our strategic plan. During the pre-COVID months we were able to undertake consultation with members, review similar strategic plans embraced by like-minded organisations, both in Australia and overseas, Rohan Greenland and reflect on how we can make the best use of our resources and our Vice President, members to effect the changes we wish to see in our society and achieve Development our vision - as set out in our current strategic plan - namely: A healthy region, a healthy nation, healthy people: living in an equitable society underpinned by a well- functioning ecosystem and a healthy environment, improving and promoting health for all. We recognise that, even though some activities have been put on pause, they will all be significantly influenced by the pandemic. There will be no return to a pre-pandemic ‘norm’. Our next strategic plan will be significantly different from the one we may have envisaged just a year ago. The challenges we have faced over the past few months, the actions we have taken, and the impact we have made, will all help shape the future direction of our organisation. A period of reflection will be needed to shape our next plan. The pandemic, if nothing else, has helped us focus on what matters most. Yes, PHAA will continue to "engage, lead and advocate for public health protection, promotion and prevention initiatives in accordance with the policy position statements developed and endorsed by members of the association”. But, as we have during the pandemic, we will need to focus our scarce resources on those areas where we can make the biggest impact. That will mean making - by consensus - some clear choices about our priorities as we emerge from the pandemic. We need to focus on what matters most. That work lies ahead. Another of my tasks has been to help build advocacy capacity across the membership. I was pleased to coordinate the advocacy skills workshop at our Australian Public Health Conference in Adelaide last year, and to run it again at the 2020 conference, albeit with the challenge of running it entirely on-line. Our advocacy work has been built on the PHAA’s ‘Kotter Plus 10-Step Plan', and also draws on the excellent work produced elsewhere, especially the renowned Advocacy Toolkit developed by the Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia. I was honoured to formally launch the 4th Edition of this resource at the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in Perth in September.
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An important part of my work has been supporting in a variety of ways, the hard-working and highly- regarded CEO and staff at the PHAA secretariat and doing all I can to support our tireless and tenacious President, David Templeman. I pay tribute, too, to my fellow Board members, who have met with increasing frequency over the past few months to focus on the challenges the pandemic has presented us all.
Rohan Greenland, Vice-President (Development)
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Vice President, Finance Report
This section provides a summary of the PHAA’s performance for the financial year 2019-20 and should be read in conjunction with the Association’s Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2020. Like many organisations the 2019-20 financial year has been a year of challenges for the association, and can be classified into two 6-month periods, 1 July – 31 December and 1 January – 30 June with the latter period being impacted by COVID-19. This impact was felt in both the Dr Paul Gardiner adaptation of National Office working arrangements and the organisation Vice President and transfer of events from traditional ‘face to face’ events to virtual Finance events, or postponement of events. As is always the case our budgeting models are very conservative and at the beginning of this financial year the approved budget indicated a modest deficit of $28,000. However, we are pleased to report that due to the quick restructuring of events, and maintaining a vigilant watch on expenditure in all areas has resulted in a surplus of $ 134,578. In reporting this result we should also note that PHAA has made full use of the Federal Government’s Cash Flow Stimulus Package and JobKeeper payments for eligible staff members. The three main income areas for PHAA remain unchanged, being the Department of Health Peak Health Advisory Body Grant through to 30 June 2022, Events and Membership. Membership figures remain stable at 1,706. We are conscious of the need to increase this level by both recruiting new and retaining existing members. To this end a 10% discount on 2 yearly memberships was introduced in mid-June and end of financial year incentives were advertised. These together with the PHAA mentoring program, and the hard work of the SIGs, Branches and SYPPH group have been significant in maintaining membership levels. The benefits available to members are always of concern and are constantly being monitored. This year the difference between member and non-member rates for events was increased with the view of encouraging further membership growth. In addition to the three main income areas, the Author Publication Charge for the ANZJPH provides a modest amount of income to offset the production costs. This income area is monitored closely and the visibility of ANZJPH is being increased by raising the awareness of early publication of articles in our weekly Pump newsletter. Going forward an increase in the non-member publication charge is being implemented in November 2020. The continued improvement in the journal metrics should translate in an increase in demand to publish in ANZJPH.
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The 2020-21 financial year will present challenges for PHAA. Strong attendance at conferences and the webinar series is vital for us. The early success of the virtual events is promising. The PHAA events team continues to adapt and is responsive to the public health challenges we face both in how conferences are delivered and also in the topics of those conferences. If 2020 has demonstrated anything, it is the importance of a strong public health sector and I encourage all of you to invite your colleagues and students to become members of PHAA.
Paul Gardiner, Vice President Finance
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Vice President, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Report
Dr Finlay has continued to support the PHAA and members across the 2019-2020 financial year. Her engagement has been across a number of domains including with the PHAA’s COVID-19 response, conferences, Close the Gap Committee, via media and communications and with the World Federation of Public Health Associations. She has also contributed to PHAA submissions and continued to support the PHAAs Reconciliation Action Plan. With 2019-2020 financial year being marred by COVID-19, the COVID-19 Technical Expert Response Committee (CTERC) of which Dr Finlay is a Dr Summer May Finlay member , was established by the PHAA and the Australian Vice President, Epidemiology Associations. Through this committee she provides advice Aboriginal and Torres on COVID-19 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Strait Islander Peoples During the year, Summer, has continued to participate in the Close the Gap Steering Committee. A significant focus of the Committee over the past year has been on the Closing the Gap Refresh for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). In support of the Committee, Dr Finlay managed their Twitter account in March. Summer also continues as the Co-Vice Chair of the Indigenous Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. Summer continues her work with this group in her capacity as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PHAA VP. Through this Working Group, Dr Finlay aims to raise the profile of Indigenous issues on the global stage. Dr Finlay has also engaged in media and communication across the financial year to support the PHAA National Office and members. For example, for Reconciliation Week, Dr Finlay was involved in a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related activities. One of the activities included assisting with the development of PHAA’s first Reconciliation report, highlighting PHAA achievements under the Reconciliation Action Plan. She also facilitated a very successful webinar with Professor Tom Calma and Professor Fiona Stanley. Additionally, for Reconciliation Week, she wrote an article Where do you fit? Tokenistic, ally – or accomplice? For Croakey Health Media which was republished by the PHAA via InTouch. She has also written about the impact of COVID-19 on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for Croakey Health Media. In her role as Vice President she has also championed Black Lives Matter on Channel 10s the Project, ABC and SBS. Dr Finlay has continued to work with the PHAA National Office to implement and review the Reconciliation Action Plan and Chairs the PHAA Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. Additionally, she has also participated as a member on the conference organising committee for the 2019 and 2020 Australian Public Health Conferences. For the 2019 Australian Public Health Conference she worked with the Office to launch the Inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award, awarded to Professor Bronwyn Fredericks.
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In addition to the contributions outlined above, Summer provided advice to national inquiries and input into a range of written submissions such as the COVID-19, the Review of the Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive (PIP IHI) and Lessons to be learned in relation the Australian bushfire season 2019-20 to the Commonwealth Government Inquiries. The activities of the Vice President are closely associated with the work of the PHAA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Special Interest Group co-convener’s Dr Michael Doyle and Dr Yvonne Luxford.
Summer May Finlay, Vice-President, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
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Early Career Professional Representative Report
The PHAA SYPPH Committee and corresponding SYPPH network was established in 2017 with two key aims: To ensure that the PHAA can combine their knowledge of public health policy and advocacy with the energy and enthusiasm of younger members through providing them with direction and clear actions. To ensure that our future public health leaders are receiving the full support and direction of our association Dr Aimee Brownbill Early Career Professional The key activities undertaken by the SYPPH Committee in the past 12 Representative months are briefly described below. Some of the activities were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time the SYPPH assessed capacity and interest of potential participants.
SYPPH 2019-2020 Committee In 2019-2020 the SYPPH Committee worked on consolidating committee processing including committee nominations. The SYPPH chairing position was transitioned from the Early Career Representative on the PHAA Board to co-chairing roles that are separate to the ECR Board member to increase leadership capacity within the SYPPH. The 2019-2020 SYPPH Committee were as below: Co-Chairs: Jenn Lacy-Nichols & Ian Epondulan Committee: Aimee Brownbill (PHAA ECR Board Member), Alexandra Procter, Anumeet Matta, Carmen Vargas, Cecilia Li, Chantelle Vella, Chelsea Green, Madeline Forbes, Natasha Reid, Nicole Gonzaga, Siddharth Kaladharan
PHAA National Mentoring Program In 2019 the SYPPH launched the PHAA National Mentoring Program. The program was modelled from the successful PHAA SA Branch mentoring program. In 2020 the SYPPH have again coordinated the PHAA National Mentoring program. The program facilitates the pairing of mentors and mentees in public health with the aim to build the capacity of PHAA members, particularly students and those early in their careers, through teaching, training, networking and providing them with appropriate resources. The 6-month program accepts up to 30 mentors and 30 mentees (to create 30 mentor- mentee pairings) per year and applies state/territory quotas to ensure equal opportunity across states/territories respective of the size of local state/territory memberships. The program development and implementation has been led by Alexandra Procter, Cecilia Li, Chantelle Vella and Aimee Brownbill in 2020. In 2020, we received a total of 118 applications to the program, which is over double the number received in 2019 (57 applications). We had 13 mentors from 2019 offer to re-mentor, received 10
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new mentor applications, and proactively approached 3 mentors (who then agreed to participate in the program) based on mentees who requested specific mentors. We received 92 mentee applications by the application close date, and an additional 3 that submitted past the deadline. Five enquiries about making a submission were also received past the deadline. Of the 92 valid applications received, 50% were existing current members of the PHAA prior to May when program applications opened and were actively promoted, 43.5% signed up as new members of the PHAA in May and 6.5% renewed their membership in May. This suggests that these new members may have joined the PHAA, at least in-part, to be eligible to apply for the mentoring program. Evaluation of PHAA National Mentoring Program The SYPPH conducted an evaluation of the 2019 iteration of the program. Overall, participant feedback of the program was overwhelmingly positive. Participants enjoyed the flexible structure and networking opportunities afforded by the program, mentees commented on the suitability of the expertise provided by their mentors, and mentors commented on the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by their mentees. The key feedback provided by participants regarding strengthening the program regarded the length of the program, with several participants indicating that they would have further benefited from a longer program, and wanting to have further engagement with the SYPPH and other participants in the program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SYPPH were unable to implement a longer program in 2020 but will be reassessing the length for 2021. The SYPPH are in the process of organising some online events for 2020 program participants to facilitate engagement between the SYPHH and other participants in the program. The SYPPH will continue to evaluate and develop the program to strengthen the program for delivery in future years. Excerpts from 2019 PHAA National Mentoring Program participants “Learning from someone who is so experienced and willing to support me. I would never have had the courage to approach a mentor such as mine without this process” “During my job search, I used multiple strategies and different resources. One of the most useful ones was to join Public Health Association of Australia National Mentoring Program…During our on-line and off-line meetings, [my mentor] shared a wealth of knowledge, brainstormed different career options, introduced me to the experts in the field, mocked interviews and emotionally supported me. Thank you so much!” “Perfect balance between structure and accountability from PHAA and freedom + flexibility to create the mentoring relationship that made the most sense to the mentor/mentee”
National Public Health Student Think Tank Competition The National Public Health Student Think Tank Competition was initiated by the SYPPH in 2018 to encourage student engagement with the PHAA and to encourage innovation and critical thinking from the next generation of public health professionals. The competition invites students studying at an Australian tertiary institution to respond to a broad prompt that aligns with the theme of the Australian Public Health Conference. Four short listed applicants are invited to further elaborate on their response in a webinar which is judged live. The winner then goes on to present their winning response in a plenary session of the Australian Public Health Conference. The SYPPH also engage
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Croakey Health Media in the competition, who review ten short-listed entries and select three to profile on their website. In 2019, the successful winner of the National Public Health Student Think Tank Competition was Kathleen McFadden for her presentation titled ‘Ageing in place: two new initiatives could make it safer and better’. The three runner-up entries were by Hayden Burch, Lucy Corbett and Stephen Barrett. The webinar recording of these entries can now be accessed online. Four entries were selected and published by Croakey Health Media and can also be accessed online: Ageing in place: two new initiatives could make it safer and better – Kathleen McFadden The major public health challenge of our time: the Anthropocene – Rosalie Schultz Children, the rights of the child and greenhouse gases – Hayden Burch Opportunities to optimise food policy research communications – Christina Zorbas
Image: Kathleen McFadden, winner of 2019 PHAA National Public Health Student Think Tank Competition, presenting in closing plenary of the 2019 Australian Public Health Conference. In 2020, the prompt for the competition is “What do you see as a major public health impact as a consequence of bushfire, climate and/or coronavirus, and what public health action do you recommend be taken in response?”. We have received 24 entries to the competition which is less than in 2019 (35 entries). The webinar of the four short-listed entrants is scheduled for Thursday 17th September 2020. In 2020 the National Public Health Student Think Tank Competition is being coordinated by Madeline Forbes with the assistance of a sub-committee (Ian Epondulan, Jenn Lacy- Nichols and Aimee Brownbill).
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Australian Public Health Conference 2020 In 2020, Chantelle Vella acted as the SYPPH representative on the organising committee for the 2020 Australian Public Health Conference. A SYPPH representative on PHAA conference organising committees ensures that student and young professionals’ needs are considered in the planning of the conferences program. SYPPH related initiatives which have been implemented in the Australian Public Health Conference have included: an Early Career/Young Professional Award, a secured spot in a plenary session for the winner of the National Public Health Student Think Tank Competition to present, positions for students/young professionals to co-chair sessions and presence of SYPPH representatives at a networking pod. With the Australian Public Health Conference being delivered online in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SYPPH are considering additional ways of engaging students and young professionals with the online event.
Students and Young Professionals in Public Health Networking Night 2019 The SYPPH held a networking event the evening prior to the 2019 Australian Public Health Conference. The event was a chance for students and young professionals to network with each other and with established professionals in the field of public health. The event was planned prior to the Conference as a way to facilitate networking opportunities across states and territories for conference attendees, local students and public health professionals. The event involved World Café style sessions in which an established professional will share their insights and advice regarding their area of expertise. The SYPPH engaged the local SA Branches of the PHAA and the Australian Health Promotion Association of Australia (AHPA) who provided sponsorship for the event in order to keep the cost low to participants and to encourage further engagement with local memberships. The event brought together 50 public health students and professionals, comprising 7 speakers/facilitators and 43 participants (21 PHAA members, 4 AHPA members and 18 non- members). We received extremely positive informal feedback from both attendees and speakers/facilitators and the SYPPH hope to hold a similarly modelled event in the future. The event was organised and delivered by Jude Hamilton (of the PHAA SA Branch), Alexandra Procter and Aimee Brownbill.
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Images: Participants at the Students and Young Professionals in Public Health networking night 2019
Other Engagement The SYPPH also consult with other sections of the PHAA and other associations on the topic of engaging students and young professionals in public health. Some examples in 2019-2020, included providing input to the development of an emerging leader award and providing input to discussions of engaging students and young professionals at the 16th World Congress on Public Health 2020 (via the World Federation of Public Health Associations). We always welcome other sections of the PHAA and other associations to approach us for our input and collaboration.
Aimee Brownbill, Early Career Professional representative on the Board
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Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Every annual report in the world will need to deal with the year of two halves. July to December 2019 reflected the “old world”, and January to June set us up for “the new normal”, whatever that may be. Devastating east coast bush fires signalled the end of the old and COVID-19 has already, and will continue to, shape the future. The year kicked off strongly with us engaged at a senior level with the newly announced National Preventive Health Strategy, and my appointment to its expert committee. Terry Slevin Chief Executive Officer Later in the year we established and ran a very successful event under the banner of the Parliamentary Friends of Prevention. These ’Parliamentary friends‘ groups are a vehicle to promote various policy issues among political representatives, their staff and policy makers via events and networks within the Federal Parliament. Co convenors are Dr Katie Allen (Lib), Dr Mike Freelander (ALP) and Dr Helen Haynes (Ind). The launch event featured talks from Health Minister Greg Hunt and Opposition health spokesperson Chris Bowen before a good crowd at Parliament House. Of course, this parliamentary event was just one of the components of the “5% for Public and Preventive Health” campaign. Our partnerships with leading national organisations like the AMA, ACOSS, ACTU and many others in this campaign and other areas of our advocacy work were on strong display through the entire year. The annual Australian Public Health Conference in Adelaide in September was the focus of celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of PHAA. The event provided an excellent opportunity to recognise past presidents, life members and the many other people who have driven the success of PHAA; including luminaries and heroes such as Tony Adams and Rosemary Stanton. Special mention of the unforgettable presentation at the conference by South Australian pioneer Dr Roy Scragg is also justified. We were proud to extend our efforts in promoting the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), with a number of initiatives including the presentation of the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health award at the Adelaide conference. Later in the year we ran a webinar during Reconciliation Action week launching our “Reconciliation and PHAA” report, which sought to outline our work in advancing the health of First Nations Australian people. We continued those efforts in our support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the conduct of our Cultural Safety Training day for all staff run by Mel Robinson from CATSINaM. Successful conferences in September in Adelaide (Public Health), November in Canberra (Communicable Disease) and our management of the biennial conference of our sister organisation the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA) in Brisbane led us well into the new year, when the entire landscape changed with the onset of COVID-19. With events income being a vitally important part of our business model, the inability to run face to face conferences presented a major hurdle, and the financial underpinnings of PHAA were
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significantly threatened. However, with strong Board support and phenomenal commitment from staff, we were able to turn a near-disaster of cancellation of the World Public Health Nutrition congress (planned for Brisbane in late March) into our first ever - and ultimately successful - international virtual conference. Contributions from speakers, delegates, partner organisations and sponsors all helped this event to proceed as we found a way to respond and connect this community in highly challenging circumstances. From there we moved the 3rd National Preventive Health conference - originally scheduled for Perth in May - into becoming the first virtual preventive health conference. Again, commitment by all participants has been vital in this success. This determination and dedication have set us in good stead to deal with the changed world brought about by the constraints and uncertainties of COVID-19, where many organisations are now seeking our advice in adapting their own conferences. In financial terms we finished the year well ahead of our predicted budget outcome. Rather than a small loss of approx. $28,000, we ended the year with a profit of $134,578. Qualifying for programs such as JobKeeper were important ingredients to that result. So too was the commitment and dedication of staff (all of whom were retained in the crisis) and continued support of members, whose numbers have also remained steady. I am very proud of the entire PHAA family, staff, Board, office holders and members for pulling together in the toughest of times. Part of the COVID-19 response by PHAA was the establishment of two groups of members to guide thinking and policy work. Assoc Professor Linda Selvey and Prof Julie Leask led the establishment of the COVID19 Technical Expert Response Committee (CTERC) in conjunction with the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA) and the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) in early April. Due to the considerable interest by PHAA members to be on the committee, a broader CTERC Advisory Group has also been established. Both groups have provided vital expert input to our responses and communications on COVID-19 and we anticipate they will continue to be essential for some time to come. There can be little doubt that, compared to many nations, Australia has performed relatively well in the pandemic. In late May we awarded the President’s award to members of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. Even despite the impact of the second wave in Victoria, this remains a legitimate award and was a sign of solidarity with the public health leaders on the front line making the hardest of choices for the population’s health. Our efforts in the environmental and ecological sphere continued throughout the year with our close and vital relationship with the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA). We were pleased to support our Senior Policy Officer Dr Ingrid Johnston, who is also a CAHA board member, to attend the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) on climate change in Madrid. Ongoing efforts by many members, including leadership for the Ecology and Environment SIG has been a key driver of our various policy and advocacy efforts in this important area of work. From a media and communications standpoint, a highlight of the year has been the establishment of the Intouch Public Health Blog launched in March. This has proven a vitally useful tool to communicate public health efforts and priorities in a timely and accessible manner. Following a number of high-quality contributions to the blog from members, we have seen thousands of reads and the audience is growing.
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I wind up with some expressions of gratitude. The first is too soon-to-be-retiring PHAA President David Templeman. This will be David’s final year as PHAA President due to PHAA constitutional rules. Having served nearly 8 years on the Board, David has been a tireless, constructive, enthusiastic, and very successful President, to whom I will always be grateful. He has done an outstanding job and deserves our deepest respect and appreciation. Collectively and individually, I thank the whole Board, who have brought dedication, wisdom and a steadying hand during troubled and difficult times. Their support to me and the team has been invaluable, and I commend their individual reports. Office bearers, SIG leaders, Branch committee members, contributors to policy and advocacy work and many more have played an enormous role in what might be seen as the biggest year of public health since the foundation of PHAA. I have been greatly privileged to have played a role and worked with such outstanding leaders and contributors. I also want to reserve a special word of thanks to the staff of PHAA. During the most trying of times they have remained positive, constructive, dedicated, thoughtful, and committed to the work and principles of PHAA. To them all I extend my great appreciation and express my admiration. I believe PHAA has finished this extraordinarily tough year stronger than we started. As the next stages of the COVID-19 pandemic unfold, we must ensure that public health capacity and investment in Australia grows and no longer lives in the shadows. We must continue to promote issues around replenishing the depleted public health workforce and drive home the essential nature of sound public health infrastructure. As the world changes and as we emerge from this pandemic it is our responsibility to ensure that public health takes a lead role in shaping the future.
Terry Slevin, Chief Executive Officer
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Membership
As at 30 June 2020 total PHAA membership stands at 1,706 individuals. The following table shows total PHAA membership numbers for the past three years.
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 Month Members Month Members Month Members Jul-17 1534 Jul-18 1562 Jul-19 1585 Aug-17 1580 Aug-18 1629 Aug-19 1640 Sep-17 1578 Sep-18 1645 Sep-19 1652 Oct-17 1611 Oct-18 1662 Oct-19 1632 Nov-17 1605 Nov-18 1678 Nov-19 1632 Dec-17 1623 Dec-18 1681 Dec-19 1609 Jan-18 1610 Jan-19 1675 Jan-20 1540 Feb-18 1629 Feb-19 1706 Feb-20 1519 Mar-18 1661 Mar-19 1693 Mar-20 1497 Apr-18 1648 Apr-19 1669 Apr-20 1556 May-18 1660 May-19 1688 May-20 1642 Jun-18 1692 Jun-19 1665 Jun-20 1706
The following graph shows monthly new PHAA memberships over the past 12 months. The Student Mentoring Program and National Office’s end of financial year new member deal contributed to the sharp increase in new members over May and June.
Monthly New Memberships 120
100
80
60
40
20
0 Jul-19 Aug-19 Sep-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20
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Policy and Advocacy
Policy Position Statements PHAA has over 96 policy position statements on a variety of public health topics. All current approved policy position statements can be found on the PHAA website. Downloads of the policy position statements suggest that they are read and used by a wide audience, with over 101,000 downloads during 2019-2020. The statements most often downloaded were National Nutrition Policy for Australia; Food System & Environmental Impacts; Hot Tap Water Temperature & Scalds; Fall Injury Prevention in Older People; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Substance Use; Food Security for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People; and Prisoner Health. This is likely to reflect a number of factors including the results of internet searches, and what issues are associated with public health (for which people may instinctively look to the PHAA).
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Policy Review Process The policy position statements are revised and re-approved every 3 years, to ensure that they remain up to date and evidence-based. Review cycles occur each year between February and August, with a view to adoption by the members at each Annual General Meeting in September- October. As always, the 2019-20 annual reporting year always covered two ‘years’ of the PHAA policy review cycle: the closing stages of the 2019 cycle, and the opening stages of the 2020 cycle.
2019 policy review process The following is a list of the PHAA policy position statements reviewed in the period February-August 2019, leading to endorsement at the AGM in September 2019.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander SIG Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Substance Use Incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (NEW) Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs SIG Alcohol Medicinal Cannabis Complementary Medicine SIG • Complementary Medicine (NEW) Ecology and Environment SIG • Ecologically Sustainable Australian Population • Nuclear Industry • Outdoor Air Quality • Planetary Health (NEW) • Climate Refugees (NEW Food and Nutrition SIG • Food Security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples • Genetically Modified Foods • Palm Oil in Food • Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity • Dietary Patterns and Food-Based Guidelines (NEW) • Household Food Security (NEW) Health Promotion SIG • HIV/AIDS • Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Management Injury Prevention SIG • Fall Injury Prevention in Older People
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Mental Health SIG • Insurance and Mental Health • Youth Mental Health (NEW) Political Economy of Health SIG • Health Equity Primary Health Care SIG • Gambling Industry Funding • Community Participation (NEW) Women’s Health SIG • Breast Cancer Screening (Mammography) • Breastfeeding • Gender Based Violence [previously named Domestic and Family Violence] • Fertility and Preconception Health
2020 policy review process The following is a list of the PHAA policy position statements for which reviews were commenced in February 2020, with a view to endorsement at the AGM in October 2020, and new statements proposed for 2020. (Some policy reviews may result in deferral to the 2021 cycle for various reasons, merger with other existing policies, archiving of older versions of policies, or specific decisions not to further update policies in future.)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health SIG Background Paper for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Policy (2019) PHAA version of the international WFPHA First Nations Wellbeing Statement (2017) Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs SIG E-cigarettes Exposure to secondhand smoke Pill Testing Tobacco control Ecology and Environment SIG Ecosystem Respecting Human Society Ecologically Sustainable Human Society Environmental Lead Exposure Environmental Noise Health Effects of Wind Turbines Limits to Growth and Public Health Low Emissions and Active Transport Nuclear Energy as a Response to Climate Change Preparing for Peak Oil Public Health Impacts of Nanotechnology
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Safe Climate Food and Nutrition SIG Genetically Modified Foods Health Levy on Sugar Sweetened Beverages Food Fiscal Policy for Australia Health Star Rating Health Promotion SIG Pharmaceutical Drug Misuse Physical Activity Illicit Drug Use Injury Prevention SIG Hot Tap Water Temperature and Scalds Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Smoke Alarms in Residential Housing International Health SIG Landmines and Cluster Ammunition Maternal Mortality, SDoH, MDGs in Asia Biological and Toxin Weapons and Smallpox Nuclear Weapons Justice Health SIG Prisoner Health Mental Health SIG Work and Mental Health Mental Health and Climate Change One Health SIG One Health Antimicrobial Resistance and stewardship One Health and Climate Change Oral Health SIG Oral health Primary Health Care SIG • Gambling and Health • Primary Health Care Women’s Health SIG • Abortion • Contraception • Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Health
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Policy Submissions Making submissions to parliamentary inquiries, and other government and public inquiries and consultation processes is a key method by which PHAA influences policy-making across Australia. During the 2019-20 year, the PHAA made 50 submissions to various Government, Parliamentary and community inquiries and consultations, at both national and state and territory levels. Submissions are a key vehicle to influence policy outcomes to ensure the health of all Australians, through comment on Bills before Parliament, providing policy advice to broader Parliamentary inquiries on new and emerging issues, and contributing to the development of Departmental Strategies and programs. All submissions are published on the PHAA website.
Sydney’s Night Time Economy – 5 July 2019 Supplementary submission to the WA Parliamentary Inquiry into Alternate Approaches to Reducing Illicit Drug Use and its Effects on the Community – 8 July 2019 Weapons and other legislation (firearms offences) amendment bill 2019 – 15 July 2019 Review of the Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive (PIP IHI) – 15 July 2019 Climate Change: Reducing Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions – 22 July 2019 Phasing out single-use plastics in the ACT – 31 July 2019 Infrastructure Australia’s discussion paper on a proposed 20-year Infrastructure Strategy – 7 August 2019 National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone – 7 August 2019 Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 (NSW) – 13 August 2019 Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017 – 14 August 2019 Climate Health Inquiry (WA) – 29 August 2019 AIHW Amendment (Assisted Reproductive Treatment Statistics) Bill 2019 – 6 September 2019 The prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia – 13 September 2019 Sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW – 13 September 2019 Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019 – 27 September 2019 Modern Slavery Act 2018 and associated matters (NSW) – 4 October 2019
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Principles for design of fees and charges for AICIS – 14 October 2019 Sex Industry Bill (NT) 2019 – 14 October 2019 Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Disclosure of Political Donations) Bill 2019 – 21 October 2019 Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics Review – 22 October 2019 P1050 – Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages – 27 October 2019 Victoria’s legislative options to implement a ban on conversion practices – 24 November 2019 Effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – 29 November 2019 ‘Sports supplements’ as ‘therapeutic goods’ – 3 December 2019 Wellbeing SA 2020-2025 Framework – 6 December 2019 Environmental Planning and Assessment (Territorial Limits) Bill – 13 December 2019 National Obesity Strategy – 15 Dec 2019 Commonwealth Budget 2020-21 Pre-Budget submission – 31 January 2020 Supplementary submission to the inquiry into the role of improving mental health to support economic participation and enhancing productivity and economic growth – 3 February 2020 Proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard – Nicotine – 13 Feb 2020 Healthy Food Options for Class 4 Food Premises – 20 February 2020 Proposed 24/7 Dry Area in all Adelaide Park Lands – 21 February 2020 Draft revised Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol – 24 February 2020 Council of Attorneys’ General Age of Criminal Responsibility Working Group review – 28 February 2020 Response to the draft EIS for the Rehabilitation of the Former Rum Jungle Mine Site – 6 March 2020 Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering the Donation Disclosure Threshold) Bill 2019 – 6 March 2020 Inquiry into National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment Site Bill – 26 March 2020 Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 – 19 April 2020 Accreditation standards review for Dental Practitioner Programs – 20 April 2020 Aldi liquor production and sales licence (SA) – 29 April 2020 Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the Future of Plastic in NSW – 14 May 2020. Nicotine scheduling amendments – 21 May 2020. Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration’s inquiry into Lessons to be learned in relation the Australian bushfire season 2019-20 – 28 May 2020. Health Star Ratings 5-year review implementation period – 11 June 2020.
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Inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 – 18 June 2020. Inquiry into Liquor Amendment (24-hour economy) bill 2020 (NSW) – 18 June 2020. Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade – 30 June 2020
Advocacy letters Letter to the Queensland Health Minister re Health Star Ratings – 3 July 2019 Letter to the Queensland Attorney General re passing of the Human Rights Act 2019 – 3 July 2019 Joint letter to State and Territory Ministers re regulation of online liquor sales and home delivery services – 25 July 2019 Letter to Victorian Minister for Health re school dental program – 26 July 2019 Joint letter to the Queensland Attorney General re decriminalising sex work – 7 August 2019 Joint Civil Society letter on intellectual property to RCEP Negotiators – 24 September 2019 Joint letter to Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation re Health Star Ratings – 2 October 2019 Letter to NSW Premier, Planning Minister and Opposition Leader re emissions and planning decisions – 11 November 2019 Joint statement on online sales and delivery of alcohol – 18 November 2019 Joint statement of public health and consumer groups on the Health Star Rating five year review – 18 November 2019 Letter to BCA opposing support for ban on environmental boycotts – 19 December 2019 Letter opposing Liquor licensing application by Aldi in South Australia – 17 December 2019 Queensland Branch - letter to the Premier of Queensland re: evaluation of the Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence (TAFV) Policy – 21 February 2020 Letter to Forum on Food Regulation re pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic products – 17 March 2020 South Australian Branch - letter to Minister of Health re COVID-19 and Shisha – 17 March 2020 South Australian Branch - letter to the Minster of Health re closure of Health Consumers Alliance – 19 March 2020 Letter to the Minister for Health re COVID-19 and prisoners – 23 March 2020 Letter to the WA Premier re closure of gun shops and firearm dealerships – 31 March 2020 Letter to the Minister for Health re COVID-19 data pool – 8 April 2020 Letter to the Minister for Health re WHO funding – 23 April 2020 Joint Australian Civil Society Letter of Support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – 30 April 2020
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Letter to the Principal Medical Advisor to the Department of Health re dental telehealth – 5 May 2020 Joint letter re review of Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 – 21 May 2020 Joint letter to National Cabinet re paid leave and COVID-19 – 26 May 2020 Joint statement re AANA food and beverage advertising code review – 11 June 2020 Joint open letter to Minister for Trade re Investor-State Dispute Settlement and COVID-19 – 24 June 2020 Joint letter to Minister Hunt re refugees, access to MBS and COVID-19 – 24 June 2020
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Alliances PHAA joins with other organisations for specific causes. We maintain a full listing of these at https://www.phaa.net.au/about-us/alliances. Australian Sexual Health Alliance Australian Council of Social Service Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations Australian Gun Safety Alliance Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Australian Health Care Reform Alliance Australian Health Policy Collaboration Climate and Health Alliance Council of Academic Public Health Institutions of Australia Close the Gap Campaign End Alcohol Advertising in Sport Equality Rights Alliance Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education Global Alcohol Policy Alliance Harmony Alliance Healthy Food Partnership National Alliance for Action on Alcohol National Complex Needs Alliance National Oral Health Alliance Planetary Health Alliance Prevention 1st Public Health Indigenous Leadership in Education Rethink Sugary Drink Alliance Social Determinants of Health Alliance SOS Fracture Alliance World Federation of Public Health Associations
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Media and Communications
Overview PHAA media and communications continued to be an area of key focus for the organisation in 2019- 2020, serving to amplify its advocacy work across multiple public platforms and boost engagement with members and external stakeholders on public health issues. A significant development was the transition from the long-published bi-monthly Intouch to the Intouch blog in March 2020, which grew quickly in its first months and has become a key channel for PHAA communications by members. The weekly member newsletter has also continued as a key aspect of PHAA communications and the PHAA social media presence has continued to grow steadily with strong engagement from stakeholders and a growing following of 16,500. Special attention in the media was paid to the bushfire crisis over the summer and COVID-19 in 2020 in the PHAA media activities. During the bushfire crisis PHAA called for coordinated leadership and action to manage the public health emergency and the health threats caused by fires and smoke, along with a greater focus on climate policy and the implementation of a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being. PHAA Senior Policy Officer Dr Ingrid Johnston attended the United Nations Climate Summit (COP25) during the bushfire crisis, making the case for climate health to be high on the agenda at the summit. PHAA’s February 2020 edition of Intouch also focused strongly on climate change. PHAA advocated for an evidence-based approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic that will best protect public health and called for the strengthening of public health workforces and agencies in Australia. The PHAA also commended the work of the Australia Health Protection Principal Committee and called for a paid pandemic leave scheme early on in the crisis. The vulnerability of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants was also highlighted, and PHAA expressed support for Black Lives Matter protests to proceed as safely as possible during the pandemic. Some of the other key issues covered in PHAA communications included investing in prevention, the federal budget, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, e-cigarettes, climate change, food and nutrition, justice health, health equity, tobacco and alcohol, gambling, mental health, women’s health and refugee health. PHAA supported many ongoing campaigns in the public health sector throughout the year. In particular it continued the push for 5% allocation of the health budget for prevention and supported climate action. It also celebrated the Association’s 50th anniversary in its annual awards media and through social media campaigning. Special reports were produced about PHAA’s commitment to Reconciliation and to mark International Women’s Day 2020. A twitter campaign led to the download of over 5,000 copies of the International Women’s Day publication. Some staff changes occurred in the role of Media and Communications Manager at the National Office during the year, as PHAA farewelled Toni Hassan from the role in early 2020 and recruited Rebecca Blackburn in her place. Rebecca left in June 2020 to take on another role, and former Media and Communications Manager Karina Martin returned in her place, commencing on 29 June 2020.
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Media highlights PHAA distributed regular media releases (listed below) between July 2019 and June 2020 on key public health topics. Media Releases July 2019 – June 2020: 4 July 2019 - Indigenous yarning circle to be front and centre at the Australian Public Health Conference 5 August 2019 - Up to Greg Hunt to step up in French Polynesia 5 August 2019 - WA Government gambling with public health 9 August 2019 - Time to connect the mouth to the body under Medicare 14 August 2019 - Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study welcomed 20 August 2019 - Health Star Rating moving forward but still not stellar 20 August 2019 - New NT Liquor Act will make communities safer, reduce harm 27 August 2019 - Preventing systemic injustice needs all jurisdictions to do more 9 September 2019 - Stop shaming the unemployed and raise the Newstart rate 18 September 2019 - Public health professionals back student strike action 19 September 2019 - National annual awards for advancing public health announced 23 September 2019 - NT Liquor Commission decision a victory for common sense 4 October 2019 - Chemicals regulator sounds alarm on e-cigarettes 17 October 2019 - Climate warming will harm health: NT health professionals want action 31 October 2019 - NT Aboriginal children: High levels of hearing loss linked to absenteeism 31 October 2019 - Barriers prevent community-controlled health organisations providing essential care to prisoners 5 November 2019 - Recognising abortion as basic health care makes good sense 12 November 2019 - NSW Government is putting the coal industry ahead of health 18 November 2019 - Health Star Rating five-year review - Joint statement of public health and consumer groups 20 November 2019 - Fatal drug-resistant fungus an emerging threat 21 November 2019 - Eliminating rheumatic heart disease is within our grasp 24 November 2019 - Medevac law saves lives 29 November 2019 - Putting climate health on the agenda at COP25 in Madrid 1 December 2019 - How to keep cool and safe this summer plus fact sheet Staying safe from heat - a guide 2 December 2019 - Belated alcohol strategy a missed opportunity 2 December 2019 - Independent experts back stronger government stance on e-cigarette threat 3 December 2019 - Launch of Parliamentary Friends of Preventive Health 3 December 2019 - Pivot to Prevention vision statement 16 December 2019 - Call for national leadership and fire emergency planning 10 January 2020 - Leadership must not fail us on natural disaster public health hazards 13 January 2020 - A public health response to the Australian bushfire crisis 15 January 2020 - Australians are having to become air-quality smart, like being sun smart 28 January 2020 - Backing the Australian of the Year 2020: let's get behind a sugar tax
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30 January 2020 - Federal savings to be made investing in prevention 6 February - NSW Government urged to reject Bill that props up coal 6 February 2020 - For the ongoing bushfire and smoke emergency: Tips to reduce mental health concerns of children and young people 13 February 2020 - Coronavirus: a sense of proportion matters 31 March 2020 - Families protected by closure of gun shops and firearm dealerships 15 April 2020 - Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health important for preventing COVID-19 spread 22 April 2020 - Temporary migrants in limbo because of COVID 12 May 2020 – PHAA Presidents Award for the Australia Health Protection Principal Committee 27 May 2020 – We need a national paid pandemic leave scheme to prevent a second wave 12 June 2020 – Black Liver Matter protests should proceed - safely 18 June 2020 – Will we be ready for the next one? 24 June 2020 – SA Chief Health Officer recognised with PHAA award 25 June 2020 – Government’s response to e-cigarettes inquiry another win for public health and a short, sharp blow to the tobacco industry 30 June 2020 – Ministers urged to approve effective pregnancy health warning on alcohol labels
Media exposure and reach As a result of its media outreach PHAA was mentioned in the Australian media approximately 1,100 times throughout the year in print and online publications – a similar rate to the previous year’s 1,040 mentions. PHAA was mentioned on radio and television approximately 1,700 times, an increase over the previous year’s 1,400 mentions. A few highlights of broadcast media over the year included: Three television interviews about e-cigarettes and the issue of harm minimisation on Channel Nine and the ABC during August-September 2019 Interview about Black Lives Matter protests on ABC Radio National on 18 June 2020 Regular ABC interviews on a multitude of issues such as the National Preventive Health Strategy, alcohol consumption during pregnancy and heatwaves Some of the print/online media highlights with a strong impact included: Up to 1,000 people join Darwin Black Lives Matter protest as Innisfail declares 'enough is enough' – ABC, 13 June 2020, 20.4m reach Public health expert says Black Lives Matter protests should be allowed to go ahead – SBS, 12 June 2020, 10.3m reach Coronavirus fight enters 'phase 5', but experts look ahead to what comes next – ABC, 21 June 2020, 20.4m reach Wondered why you take folate while you're pregnant? This woman is a huge part of the answer - ABC 22 May 2020, 15.2m reach Chief health officers recognised by peers – News.com, 12 May 2020, 13.2m reach 'Everyone wants to be an expert': Health bodies call for support of Chief Medical Officer – Sydney Morning Herald, 20 March 2020, 7.04m reach Doctors welcome bushfire smoke research – 9 news, 15 January 2020, 5.23m reach
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Social Media PHAA maintained a strong social media presence throughout the year, predominantly using the platforms of Twitter and Facebook to communicate about public health issues, policy developments, campaigns and general news with stakeholders. PHAA’s main platform was Twitter, and its presence grew steadily with its following having increased from 13,000 in the previous year to 16,500 and achieving nearly 2m impressions over the year. PHAA’s Facebook following also increased from 3,952 to 4,925 over the year. Many Facebook posts for the year had a reach between 1,000 and 2,000.
Some of our ‘top tweets’ during the year
PHAA Internal Publications
PHAA communicated news and information to members through the weekly Pump e-bulletin and through four editions of the longer Intouch newsletter. The Intouch newsletter transitioned to an online blog in March 2020 which has been very successful from the outset.
The weekly Pump newsletter remains an important vehicle for providing member updates and a snapshot of the week’s events and public health news to around 1,700 readers, with an average open rate of 40-50%. The longer Intouch newsletter was produced four times throughout the year, featuring articles by members and stakeholders on public health issues. Each edition of the Intouch newsletter was sent to around 6,000 readers and it had an open rate of around 30%. Intouch editions were also hosted on the PHAA website for public access. The Intouch blog became live in March 2020. It has since developed a readership of around 500 per week, and had received over 9,000 views up to the end of June 2020. The blog is more agile for responding to topical issues as posts can be uploaded at any time. The blog
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format also enables members to have a conversation via the comment feature, and it provides members with a more public platform for getting their articles published. Intouch blog posts for the year:
Black Lives Matter protests should proceed – safely Health inequalities: plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose We don’t know if breastfeeding is rising or falling in Australia. That’s bad for everyone COVID in Australia – how have we done and where to from here? 20% of pregnant Australian women don’t receive the recommended mental health screening Coordinating a response to bushfire and climate change crisis “As Australia slips toward fascism, where does the public health community stand?” Do companion animals spread Q fever? Re-opening gambling venues will create serious health risks As coronavirus restrictions ease, here’s how you can navigate public transport as safely as possible Making tobacco companies responsible for our most common item of litter Where do you fit? Tokenistic, ally – or accomplice? Australia’s golden opportunity to prevent future outbreaks The positives and negatives of mass testing for coronavirus 7 questions answered on how to socialise safely as coronavirus restrictions ease A business focused National COVID-19 Coordination Commission is not enough Supermarkets claim to have our health at heart. But their marketing tactics push junk foods COVID-19 fuels global health tensions Contact tracing apps are vital tools in the fight against coronavirus. But who decides how they work? The future for preventive health in Australia Navigating COVID-19 social distancing rules for Aboriginal people Getting to the causes: Mental health and making real productivity gains post COVID Alcohol minimum unit price reduces harm in the Northern Territory The earth is breathing easier Chronic disease, health equity and COVID-19 6 countries, 6 curves: how nations that moved fast against COVID-19 avoided disaster Contact tracing app – a tool for ending the COVID pandemic Now is not the time to cut funds to the WHO Three simple things Australia should do to secure access to treatments, vaccines, tests and devices during the coronavirus crisis The public health discipline after Covid-19 The surprising positives about COVID Reflections on how COVID has changed the world COVID and cruise ships Coronavirus with a baby: what you need to know to prepare and respond Coronavirus distancing measures are confusing. Here are 3 things to ask yourself before you see someone
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Events
As part its commitment to sector capacity building, PHAA runs a number of events each year, with an aspiration of running three to six international/national conferences each year and further assisting branch and special interest groups in delivering events and building capacity. The following conferences have been held during the 2019/20 financial year in relation to public health, communicable disease control, public health nutrition and prevention. Where available, the conference abstract books, audio and presentation slides of the invited speakers may be viewed on the PHAA website under Past Conferences. It is worth noting however the significant impact of COVID-19 on PHAA events during 2020. While there was shared disappointment in the events not proceeding as originally planned, overall the response to the events being converted to online has been positive with stakeholders overall being supportive of the decisions made, with the events able to continue in some format and ensure all the energy and time in planning was not lost due to the global pandemic.
To find out more about the impact please see the individual event information below.
Australian Public Health Conference 2019 Dates: Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 September 2019 Location: Adelaide Venue: Hilton Adelaide Conference Theme: Celebrating 50 years, poised to meet the challenges of the next 50 Delegates: 257 Total abstract submissions received: 187 Total abstract presentations: 102 In 2019 the Conference theme was ‘Celebrating 50 years, poised to meet the challenges of the next 50’. The theme was established to acknowledge and reflect on the many challenges and success that public health has faced over the last 50 years, as well as acknowledging and celebrating 50 years of PHAA, with the first official gathering of PHAA being held in Adelaide in 1969. Great public health gains have been made in the past five decades, but efforts must continue. To maximise the benefit of all of these success stories, persistence and vigilance are needed. Continued funding, promotion, enforcement and improvement of policies remains essential. New resourcing of public health initiatives is essential if we are to reduce future national health expenditure (or even merely stem current rates of increase). Public health is also about equity, and is concerned with achieving fair health and wellbeing for everyone, not just those with more resources. In order to make the event successful, a number of organisations were engaged in the event, including sponsors and exhibitors. The 2019 Sponsors were: The Australian Government Department of Health, Principal Sponsor NSW Ministry of Health, Associate Sponsor
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Department for Health and Wellbeing, Support Sponsor School of Public Health & Community Medicine, University of NSW, Affiliation Sponsor Qantas, Official Airline Partner Adelaide Town Hall, Conference Dinner Supporter The 2019 exhibitors were: NSW Ministry of Health Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet End Alcohol Advertising in Sport Australian Institute of Health and Welfare HESTA Public Health Association of Australia
Photos from the Australian Public Health Conference 2019
Communicable Diseases Control Conference 2019 Dates: Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 November 2019 Location: Canberra Venue: Hyatt Hotel Canberra Conference Theme: Controlling communicable diseases – mobilising evidence, action and partners Delegates: 340 Total abstract submissions received: 168 Total abstract presentations: 166
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In 2019 the Conference theme of Controlling communicable diseases – mobilising evidence, action and partnerships, covered persistent and emerging issues for infectious disease control in Australia and the region. These issues include emergence or re-emergence of infectious agents, complex outbreaks, resistant microorganisms, genomics, and effective interventions, along with high rates of disease in rural and remote Australia. The theme highlighted the importance of the generation and transfer of evidence into policy and practice and invited an exploration of alternative forms of western scientific evidence, such as Indigenous knowledge systems. The Conference had repeated engagement from sponsors in recent years. The 2019 Sponsors were: Office of Health Protection, Australian Government Department of Health, Principal Sponsor Pfizer Australia, Associate Sponsor Seqirus, Support Sponsor The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Affiliation Sponsor NSW Health, Affiliation Sponsor School of Public Health & Community Medicine. University of New South Wales, Affiliation Sponsor GSK, Affiliation Sponsor The 2019 exhibitors were: Office of Health Protection, Australian Government Department of Health, Principal Sponsor Pfizer Australia Seqirus The Benchmarque Group Flutracking Public Health Association of Australia
Photos from the Communicable Diseases Control Conference 2019
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World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020 Original Dates: Tuesday 31 March to Thursday 2 April 2020 Original Location: Brisbane Original Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Congress Theme: Knowledge, Policy, Action in the Decade of Nutrition 2016-2025 What is working or not? Where are the gaps? What needs more effort or change? Delegates: 468 Total abstract submissions received: 576 Total abstract presentations: 213 Held every 4 years, the World Public Health Nutrition Congress was established by the World Public Health Nutrition Association (WPHNA) to bring together the international public health nutrition sector for an international congress free from funding from conflicted sources. The Congress acts as a pathway to strengthen the knowledge base, partnerships and commitment for effective action to improve nutrition related health, particularly among vulnerable populations in the world. The Congress was first held in Rio, Brazil in 2012, then in Cape Town, South Africa in 2016 and in 2020 the World Public Health Nutrition Congress was brought to Australia for the first time and hosted by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). Converting to Virtual On Thursday 13 March 2020, PHAA released a statement to committee members, sponsors, exhibitors, keynote speakers, abstract presenters and registered delegates regarding how the World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020 would proceed, due to the evolving situation around COVID- 19. The full statement can be read here. The event was converted to virtual with content being made available on demand and live sessions over 1 May to 5 June 2020. Due to the proximity to the planned start date of the Congress, the workload to undo and rebuild the event was significant and took time to work through. A number of organisations engaged in the World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020 and the initial Sponsors were: Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Destination Sponsor Brisbane City Conference & Accommodation Bid Fund, Destination Sponsor The Australian Government Department of Health, Associate Partner VicHealth, Associate Sponsor Dietitians Association of Australia, Congress Dinner Sponsor Armchair Medical, Professional Development Sponsor Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Keynote Speaker Sponsor IDRC, Scholarship Sponsor Queensland University of Technology, Congress Support Sponsor
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Sponsors that remained after the event was converted to virtual were: Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Destination Sponsor The Australian Government Department of Health, Associate Partner VicHealth, Associate Sponsor Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Keynote Speaker Sponsor IDRC, Scholarship Sponsor There were a couple of exhibitors booked for the 2020 congress, however due to converting to a virtual event, bookings did not remain.
Images from the virtual World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020
Preventive Health Conference 2020 Original Dates: Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 June 2020 Original Location: Perth Original Venue: Pan Pacific Perth Conference Theme: CAN DO PREVENTION: effective action in a volatile world Delegates: 363 Total abstract submissions received: 241 Total abstract presentations: 176 The Conference was first held in 2018 and again in 2019, interest in both years exceeded expectations and registrations sold out. The theme drew on current developments in preventive health in Australia and beyond. Nationally the Preventive Health Strategy is under development. In Western Australia the Sustainable Health Review calls for five per cent of total health expenditure to be spent on prevention by 2029, and sets the target for WA to have the highest percentage of population with a healthy weight of all States and Territories in Australia within a decade. But this is happening in a world filled with ‘vVolatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity’ (VUCA). As we enter a new decade – which might also be known as the new “Roaring 20s” - we want the evidence of the proven benefits of preventive health efforts to see fruition in influencing policy and
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practice to benefit the health and well-being of all Australians, particularly those most vulnerable or disadvantaged. We must focus on achieving positive outcomes while adhering to core principles of equity, sustainability and health literacy, and giving practical consideration to the social, ecological and commercial determinants of health. We must build on our communications skills and capacity to influence policy and find means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which apply as much in Australia as they do world-wide. Converting to Virtual On Wednesday 18 March 2020, PHAA released a statement to committee members, sponsors, exhibitors, keynote speakers, abstract presenters and registered delegates regarding how the Preventive Health Conference 2020 would proceed, due to the evolving situation around COVID-19. The full statement can be read here. The event was converted to virtual with content being made available on demand and live sessions. Abstract presenters were contacted in regards to providing their presentation virtually. We welcomed a variety of formats from PDF files to PowerPoint presentations with audio and or video. Unfortunately, not all confirmed abstract presenters provided a virtual presentation. Plenary sessions were held live through zoom and made available on demand to registered delegates who were unable to watch live. The Conference received high engagement from organisations across Australia, in 2020 the Sponsors where: Department of Health WA, Healthway & Mental Health Commission, Premier Sponsor The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Founding Sponsor Australian Government Department of Health, Principle Sponsor Cancer Council WA, Virtual Sponsor VicHealth, Scholarships Healthway, Scholarships Heart Foundation, Affiliation Sponsor There were a number of exhibitors booked for the 2020 conference, however due to converting to virtual their bookings were transferred to the 2021 conference dates.
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Images from the virtual Preventive Health Conference 2020
17th National Immunisation Conference 2020 Original Dates: Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 June 2020 New Dates: Tuesday 29 to Thursday 1 July 2021 Location: Perth Venue: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation the decision was made to postpone the conference originally planned in Perth for Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 June 2020, until Tuesday 29 to Thursday 1 July 2021 in Perth. The full statement can be read here.
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Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH)
The ANZJPH Journal enters the new decade of 2020 as a Q1 Journal. This is the first time in the history of the ANZJPH that we have broken into having a citation index factor above 2.0. In addition, the Journal had more than one million downloads of abstracts or full manuscripts. This is an increase of more than 100,000 over the same period last year. Of these downloads, just over 50% came from Australia and New Zealand. The rest of the downloads came from across the world. The next largest group was from the USA with 20%. The ANZJPH is a global journal focusing on Australian and New Zealand Public Health research. The table below shows statistics for the past three years of the Journal. We continue to maintain a strong representation of articles submitted. Our rejection rate continues to be stable and has not varied significantly in the last 3 years.
1 July 2017 – 30 June 1 July 2018 – 31 May 2019 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020 2018 (calculated to 31 May, not 30 June as per other years)
Papers Received 343 258 336
Status @ 30 June
Rejected, Lapsed or 195 (57%) 144 (56%) 207 (61%) Withdrawn
Live (In Review or 43 48 42 (13%) Revision)
Accepted 104 66 87 (26%)
Source
Australia 235 180 218
New Zealand 48 36 39
Other Overseas 60 42 79
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada Algeria, Brazil, Canada, China (13), Bangladesh, Canada, China (27), (2), China (23), Egypt, Fiji, India, Cyprus, Germany, Indonesia, Iran Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji (3), Hong Iran (3), Korea (5), Malaysia, (4), Iraq, Korea (3), Pakistan (2), Kong, India (7), Indonesia, Iran (4), Pakistan (2), Saudi Arabia (2), Poland, Saudi Arabia (3), South Japan, Jordan, Korea (2), Malaysia Singapore, Taiwan (5), Turkey (4), Africa, Taiwan (4), UK, United (7), Morocco, Pakistan (4), Poland, UK (2), United States (5) States (3) Qatar, Saudi Arabia (2), Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden (2), Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (2), Unites States (3)
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Papers published in online issues (not inclusive of Early View)
Editorials 4 9 6
Commentary 8 10 11
Articles / Brief Reports 92 78 77
Letters to the Editor 26 11 2
Book Reviews 5
Total 135 108 96
This year 26% of manuscripts that were submitted to the Journal were accepted for publication. The Journal editors and our reviewers continued to do an outstanding job of maintaining the quality of articles that are published in the ANZJPH. With our current status now of a Q1 Journal, we hope to see an increase in submissions and more importantly an increase in the quality of articles. It is clear that there is no advantage to submitting to international journals that charge significantly more to Public Health Association members and do not get any additional exposure for the excellent work that they are doing in Australia and New Zealand.
During 2020 – 2021 we will continue to have webinars one important papers that are published during an issue. We will continue providing to members, content pages and the link to the open access for those members that just wish to read articles of interest.
I would like to personally thank Melissa Stoneham, Priscilla Robinson and Nikki Percival for their excellent work and support of the Journal during this year. I'd like to thank Luke Wolfenden, Hassan Vally and Sandar Tin for their time with the Journal and we wish them well in their future careers. Replacing these excellent editors, we went from strength to strength and welcome Emily Stockings, Alexandra Metse, Danielle Couch and Summer May Finlay. The Journal is privileged to have as our production editor Peta Neilson and her skills and dedication to the Journal. For those that publish or review for the ANZJPH you know the excellent job she does in administratively keeping the journal running smoothly.
This group, through their ongoing hard work and dedication, ensures the Journal continues to operate at the highest level of integrity and quality.
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Branch Reports
Australian Capital Territory Branch
President: Devin Bowles Treasurer: Cathy Banwell Secretary: Russell McGowan Committee: David McDonald, Peter Tait, Susan Pennings, Isabelle Macgregor-Bowles, Robin Lucas, Andrew Pengilley, Mel Triantafyllou The ACT Branch co-hosted one presentation and social event with the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. Based on attendance, the Branch decided to focus its efforts during the pandemic on policy and advocacy work. Activities include providing input into the ACT Wellbeing Framework and participation in the ACT Plastic Reduction Taskforce.
New South Wales Branch Committee President: Patrick Harris Committee: Travers Johnstone (Secretary), Eleonora Feletto (Treasurer), Ed Jegasothy (Vice President), Catriona Bonfiglioli, Sinead Boylan, Heike Schutze, Mieke Snijder, Nick Roberts, Thomas Gadsden; Rimante Ronto. Ex officio members: Amelia Berner; Jon Wardle Outgoing committee members: Mieke Snijder; Nick Roberts; Thomas Gadsden; Sinead Boylan Activity This year the NSW Branch continued to implement work to foster a healthy and sustainable future, promoting evidence-based policy and health equity, supporting communities to have a voice and promoting engagement of students in the activities of the PHAA and public health more broadly. The NSW Branch underwent strategic planning in mid-19 and added an overarching goal to ‘Raise the profile of public health in NSW Public Policy’. Scholarships The branch awarded two scholarships to attend conferences: the PHAA Annual National Conference 2019 and the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference 2019. Mentoring Patrick Harris took part in the PHAA national student mentoring program. He mentored Georgina Mulcahy and Joseph Paul Carrello who also took an active role in the committee as part of their experience. Awards The 2019 NSW Public Health Impact Award for significant achievement in public health was awarded to Melissa Kang. NSW PHAA Annual address We were honoured by Professor Rebecca Iver’s address Strengthening engagement in public health, focusing on the future priority areas for public health action.
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Other events across 2019 AGM Picturing Public Health Art Competition – Scholarship awarded to Bridget Foley (Prevention Research Collaboration, CPC) to attend the PHAA Annual National Conference 2019 Aboriginal Health Worker Scholarship – Awarded to Joseph Gordon (Tobacco Action Worker, Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service) to attend the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference 2019 PHAA mentoring program and student internships Member survey: o 58 responses (23% student members) o Mostly joined for professional development and networking o Interested in climate change and equity o Would like more networking opportunities and debates/presentations/forums o Organising power and social determinants public talk and workshop o Students Public Health Career Night Eleanora Feletto and Patrick Harris are committee members for the 2020 National PHAA conference, with Eleanora co-chairing. Some planned events for January to July 2020 were halted by COVID-19 restrictions. Advocacy The Branch has taken a proactive approach to advocacy, in collaboration with the National PHAA office. Activities included submissions to NSW Parliamentary Inquiries: • Modern Slavery Act (NSW) • Reproductive health care reform bill (NSW) • NSW government inquiry into the sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW, 2019, • Review of the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, • Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Territorial Limits) (NSW) We were involved in a strategic advocacy campaign with other NGOs which successfully stalled debate and proposed legislative reform to amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act which proposed removing consideration of climate change impacts. Our activity included an initial submission, social media, encouraging letters from members. Dr Patrick Harris and Dr Ingrid Johnston both represented the PHAA at the resulting Parliamentary Inquiry, which recommended the legislation be dropped. Our presentation at the inquiry was included in the national media. Patrick Harris also raised the profile of the PHAA through a media conference on the impacts of bushfires and climate change, which was televised in the national mainstream media in early 2020. Some advocacy efforts were curtailed by COVID-19 and the closing of the NSW Parliament. Additionally, we have been involved in providing or facilitating the provision of expert advice for several proposed NSW COVID-19 policy and legislation: NSW COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures Bill 2020) and Private Hospital Funding Inquiry. We assisted the PHAA national office submission to the Federal COVID-19 inquiry. Committee processes We held a Strategic Direction Workshop in August facilitated by PHAA CEO Terry Slevin to map out the Branch executive committee’s direction and planning in light of survey results. This has resulted,
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in addition to continuing events and awards, in the development of a series of working groups established to progress various work associated with the committee: Aboriginal health Right to food Gambling Climate change (and infrastructure) Refugees Parliamentary friends group
Northern Territory Branch
President: Suzanne Belton Vice President: Rosalie Schultz Secretary: Emily Murray Treasurer: Michael Fonda Committee: Heather D’Antoine, Liz Moore, Philip McMahon, John Boffa, Lara Stoll, Catherine Wood, Nick Georges Thank you to NT PHAA members and supporters who have attended meetings and supported our work, staff in the PHAA office, and convenors of SIGs who have assisted us with submissions. COVID-19 The Northern Territory has benefited from its superpower ‘remoteness’ and at the time of writing there is no active community transmission of COVID-19. This is very important in the NT dues to the large Indigenous minority who would be a vulnerable population. As a social determinant of health, remoteness has often been shown to decrease life expectancy due to a lack of health services, sparce workforce and harsh living conditions. But in the case of this viral pandemic, being remote has its advantages. Indigenous leaders have stood firm regarding borders to their communities which appears to be a wise position at present. Many of our members have been directly involved in clinical service provision, rapid policy and protocol development, providing evidence-based information to government. Public health skills are in high demand. Election Our members focused on the Northern Territory election in August and public health advocacy. Our priority was to ask the Territory government to commit to 5% of the healthcare budget to be spent on Public Health. Labor was re-elected with a smaller majority than in 2017 and the NT legislative assembly has largest proportion of women and Indigenous members of parliament in the country. NT government has commenced fracking oil and gas to 50% of the land area of the NT. This will increase carbon levels and will harm human health. NT PHAA Branch joined with many environment and social NGOs in lobbying against environmental damage.
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Oral Health The Oral Health sub-committee has requested action by the NT Department of Health and Power and Water Corporation to support water fluoridation. Apparently, a Water Steering Committee has been established, but no action has been evident. There are 13 Indigenous communities which currently meet the NT guidelines for fluoridation but do not have it. Abortion Results from public health advocacy for decriminalisation and devolving no-cost abortion services into primary health from tertiary health care demonstrated safe and effective services for women that has likely saved considerable money for the NT government. There has been a rapid uptake of early medical abortion and a peer reviewed publication. Mining NT PHAA Branch has brought to government attention apparent increased rates of cancer and foetal deaths affecting Aboriginal people near Ranger Uranium mine. The Former Rum Jungle Mine Site in the Northern Territory is undergoing rehabilitation, and there are issues of radioactivity to be addressed. PHAA argues that is it important that there be ongoing monitoring of the radioactivity at the RJCS following the latest rehabilitation works so that an increase in radioactivity can be detected early and addressed before significant public exposure occurs. Nicole Conroy, an Environmental Scientist spoke at our AGM and noted that environmental impact assessments include the social, economic, ecological and cultural impacts but not health impacts and informed us that mine closure is poorly regulated in Australia. Commercial Alcohol Dan Murphy continues to prosecute a court case in the High Court in the NT but to date has not been able to open a large liquor outlet that is opposed by several welfare and health groups. NT PHAA has donated money to the lawyers against Dan Murphy. The Liquor Act 2019 was reviewed, and our members assisted with a submission.
Queensland Branch
President: Letitia Del Fabbro Vice President: Sid Kaladharan Secretary: Cheneal Puljevic Treasurer: Paige Preston Committee: Louise Wilson (email secretary), Peter Anderson, Brenna Bernadino, Rachael Brennan, Mohammad Kadir, Natasha Lee, Aime Steele Co-opted (non-voting) committee members: Paul Gardiner, Yasu Takao We would also like to acknowledge Mearon O’Brien, Matthew Ebden, Lila Singh-Peterson and Stephanie Fletcher who served on the Committee for some of the past year Over the past year the Queensland Branch of PHAA has focused on the following 3 areas.
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Advocacy The Queensland branch provided advice and feedback to government on issues including: COVID-19; Health Star Ratings; junk food advertising; the age of criminal responsibility; obesity; the Human Rights Act legislation; The Weapons and Other Legislation (Firearms Offences) Amendment Bill 2019; inquiry into aged care, end of life care and palliative care; alcohol warning labels and; the decriminalisation of sex work in Queensland (the committee acknowledges the work of Rachael in this area). The Queensland branch has continued to liaise with the new Health and Wellbeing Queensland agency, and has worked in partnership with AHPA Queensland. Engagement We continued our support of undergraduate students through the provision of academic prizes. These awards recognise outstanding academic achievement in public health courses and we congratulate: Shannon Bullen (Queensland University of Technology); Amanda Maykin and Tiah Meniers (Griffith University) and Sarah Franey and Isabelle Killen (The University of Queensland). Competitive scholarships for attendance at the Australian Public Health Conference 2019 in Adelaide were awarded to: Melody Muscat (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Scholarship) and Rachel Doolan (Student Scholarship). The branch spilt the HDR excellence prize between two equally ranked applicants, congratulations to: Abirami Ratnasingham and Dongshan Zhu. PHAA Queensland Branch Committee members represented the organisation in a number of ways. We presented to student groups (bachelor and master level) at universities in Queensland, on the role of the PHAA and opportunities for health advocacy. Representatives attended the University of Queensland Board of the Faculty of Medicine Meeting and Health and Wellbeing Queensland consultation events. The branch was also involved in planning climate change and health events prior to COVID-19. The Queensland branch prepared three nominations for PHAA prizes in 2019, all of which were awarded at the Australian Public Health Conference 2019: Professor Bronwyn Fredericks for the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Public Health Award; Dr Danette Langbecker for PHAA mentor of the year and; Professor Ian Frazer who received a lifetime public health achievement award. Thank you to Sid Kaladharan who represented the Queensland Branch at the Australian Public Health Conference held in Adelaide, September 2019. Events The Queensland Branch AGM was held in November 2019. Terry Slevin joined the AGM and presented on: “The National Preventive Health Strategy and the Social Determinants of Health: Is this our chance to make the rubber hit the road?” To engage with the Queensland Branch please follow us on Twitter @PHAAQldbranch.
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South Australian Branch
President: Kate Kameniar Vice-President: Dannielle Post Treasurer: Tassia Oswald Member Secretary: Clare Rowley Minutes Secretary: Danielle Borroughs Awards & Scholarships: Mary Brushe Executive Committee: Aimee Brownbill, Jacquie Bowden, Natasha Howard, Alexandra Procter, Katherine Baldock, Terry Boyle, Jess Judd, Ruth Nzeribe, Shannon Packer This report marks my final report as SA Branch President and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our SA members for the honour of representing the PHAA SA Branch. My goal as incoming President was to increase the SA Branch’s advocacy presence, starting with a successful election campaign in the lead up to the 2018 State Election, establishment of the SA Branch Advisory Committee and creation of the SA Public Health Consortium with our valued strategic partners SACOSS and AHPA SA. I have been so grateful to the many wonderful members who have served as the Executive Committee over the past four years dedicating their time and energy into making this vision a reality. I am really proud of the local advocacy work we have done as a team and continue to be inspired by our dedicated public health community. The 2019-2020 financial year was no exception, the PHAA SA Branch Executive Committee has been extremely active over the past 12 months. The committee are particularly proud to see the stand- alone Chief Public Health Officer position (a successful ask from our 2018 election campaign) highly effective throughout the 2020 bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic. We have continued to provide strong state level advocacy through a wide variety of letters, submissions, meetings with Ministers and senior policy makers, advocating for better strategies and funding for quality, evidence-based public health initiatives at the local level. We ran a variety of successful events and activities to provide opportunities for our members, including hosting the National Public Health Conference in Adelaide in September. I would like to thank the members of the SA Branch Executive their continued commitment to public health in South Australia and the activities of the SA Branch which are detailed below. Advisory Committee The PHAA SA Advisory Committee meets twice a year and aims to: Work with the Executive Committee to provide input and advice to the Branch’s strategic planning processes, including advice regarding important topics of interest for PHAA member activities; Determine the recipient of the annual Basil Hetzel Leadership in Public Health Award; and Provide assistance where possible with the development of relevant submissions and responses to government policies or initiatives.
The Executive Committee is most grateful for the support of our dedicated advisory committee and in particular I would like to thank the following people for their ongoing support: Professor Fran
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Baum, Professor John Coveney, Dr Jackie Street, Dr Stephen Christley, Ms Christine Morris, Ms Wendy Keech, Mr Adrian Heard. Public Events 2019-2020 September 2019 – PHAA National Conference
Public Recognition Prizes and Scholarships The SA Branch recognises public health and primary health care leaders and their contribution to these fields of endeavour, with four Awards and Scholarships: The Kerry Kirke Student Award, which is open to all students of public health in the state, and awarded to recognise the public health benefit of the student’s work, along with its quality, originality and degree of difficulty. In 2019, this was awarded to Hailay Gesesew. The Primary Health Care Practitioner Award is awarded in partnership with the Australian Health Promotion Association. In 2019 it was awarded to Toby Freeman. The 2020 Basil Hetzel Leadership in Public Health Award was awarded to Professor Nicola Spurrier, Chief Public Health Officer, SA Health. The Fran Baum Equity Scholarship was established in 2018. In 2019, the award was presented to Elia Schioldann.
Networks SA Branch continues to maintain ongoing links with other like-minded organisations, including AHPA, SACOSS, AFPHM, AEA, SAHMRI, Anti-Poverty Network, People’s Health Movement, SA Health, University of Adelaide, Flinders University, Torrens University and University of South Australia. This year we were particularly pleased to continue our advocacy work with the SA Public Health Consortium in partnership with AHPA and SACOSS. In addition, we were pleased to have student representatives from the four universities, SAHMRI and SA Health for our State Conference. Advocacy The SA Branch has been very busy with advocacy in the past year. We have made a range of submissions to reviews and consultations and thank the relevant special interest groups and the national office for their ongoing support for this work. We have collaborated with like-minded individuals and organisations to increase the profile of public health. Submissions, consultations and collaborations: Wellbeing SA model, including feedback on the framework in September 2019 Mental Health Commission Report and consultation Survey and National Obesity Framework Committee and individual submissions, both in December 2019 City of Adelaide’s proposed 24/7 Dry Area in all Adelaide Park lands, February 2019 Multiple submissions and representation disputing Aldi’s Liquor Licence Application National Preventative Health Survey, March 2019 Australian Abortion Action Commission – multiple responses to ongoing review Pregnancy Warning Labels advocacy to local MPs, March 2019 Productivity Commission Report, March 2019 Radioactive Waste Facility Submission, March 2019 Advocacy to ban Shisha Bars operating in Adelaide during the COVID-19 pandemic, April 2019
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Planning for 2019-2020 The PHAA SA Branch are currently planning our activities for the 2019 – 2020 financial year. And I’m delighted to welcome Dr Jacquie Bowden as our new SA Branch President, bringing with her a wealth of public health expertise and enthusiasm for advocacy.
Tasmanian Branch President: Kim Jose Secretary: Gillian Mangan Treasurer: Silvana Bettiol Committee: Michael Bentley, Siobhan Harpur, Emily Mauldon, Sandy Murray, Holley Jones Kim would like to thank all the Tasmanian Branch members for their support during 2019-2020, and particularly those that have attended meetings and assisted in planning and promoting an event. We would also like to thank the PHAA National Office staff for their ever-willing help and assistance this year. In 2019 we recommenced holding quarterly branch meetings with guest speakers invited to talk on areas of interest to the group. Meetings have been held using Zoom to facilitate involvement from members across the state. In the second half of 2019 the Director of Public Health Tasmania, Dr Mark Veitch gave a public talk on the State of Public Health in Tasmania (24th September). This was well attended, and a recording made available to those who were unable to attend. In October local researcher Associate Professor Fay Johnston was awarded the Tony McMichael Public Health Ecology and Environment Award. Award recipients must have made a significant, discernible contribution in the combined domains of public health and ecology or environmental health. We have not had an opportunity to publicly acknowledge this award as the challenging national bushfire season and COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult to arrange this. Local members attended the community forums on the national obesity strategy in December 2019 and have participated in various other local conferences and activities. Kim attended the national face-to-face meeting held as part of the Australian Public Health Conference in Adelaide in October where it was good to meet other branch Presidents and PHAA board and special interest group members. The branch supported the national branch in its campaign to support the mandating of pregnancy warning labels on alcohol products sending two letters to local health ministers on this issue in 2020. The branch had planned to support a two-day visit to Tasmania in May 2020 by Dr David Pencheon when he had planned to be in Australia for a series of events. The planning for this was well advanced when the decision was made in February to cancel it due the COVID-19 pandemic. At this stage there are no plans in place to reschedule this visit. The first 6 months of 2020 have been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a small branch with many members part of the critical local and national public health response to COVID-19 a decision was made not to hold any meetings in the first half of 2020. Now that the situation is stabilising the branch plans to recommence meetings in the second half of 2020.
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Victorian Branch
President: Anna Nicholson Deputy President: Bronwyn Carter Secretary: Rose Bell Treasurer: Kristina Basile Committee Members: Jill Waddell, Aziz Rahman, Nyssa Hadgraft, Adyya Gupta, Olympia Sarris, Sian Slade, Lily Grisby-Duffy. Co-opted Committee Members: Jade Northcott, Veronica Perera, Trish Ritchie, Maria Gelvan, Amelia Lowe, Kym Lang, Rebecca Southurst, Clare Choveaux, Chris Breheny. Advisory Group: Rob Moodie, Jane Martin, Helen Keleher and Charles Livingston Member survey and revised strategic plan Vic members were invited to take part in the survey between mid Nov to early Dec 2019. The survey was completed by 71 members. Key results included: ● Public advocacy and campaigns were the top request for increased focus by the Committee; ● Prevention funding, climate change, and obesity prevention were most commonly in the top 3 priorities for focus, followed by mental health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; ● Only a very small proportion of members indicated they preferred not to take part in Branch advocacy activities. Sharing information through professional networks was the most popular way to get involved, followed by attending advocacy events; ● At present, members feel only moderately connected to Branch activities (average of 4 on a scale of 0-10). As a result of the member survey, our draft strategic plan for 2020-21 includes several new activities: ● Planning for a 5% for prevention advocacy campaign; ● Policy portfolios revised to align with member priorities, with a new focus on climate and health as an emerging priority; ● Updates to members that invite participation and feedback, shared via the webpage, member e-mail and the Pump; ● Exploration of ways to strengthen collaboration with AHPA and other prevention peaks ● Exploration of new member opportunities and awards, which will be announced at our November AGM; ● Active participation in the Reconciliation Action Plan, including through events and the exploration of new scholarship opportunities. Policy and Advocacy Vic Branch policy and advocacy portfolios align with key priority focus areas (see Vic branch website for details of portfolio holders). This aims to support the committee to develop a detailed understanding of their focus area, strengthen relationships with relevant stakeholders and contribute to relevant submissions and advocacy activities. ● Endorsement of Consensus Statement on Healthy Eating and Active Living ● Advocacy to introduce Pregnancy Warning Labels on alcohol products
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● Advocacy to raise the age of criminal responsibility ● Contribution to the review of Primary Care Partnerships ● Planning for a 5% for prevention campaign. As part of this project we are exploring what alliances and strategies are required for a successful campaign. Member engagement Seminars and events ● The AGM was held on 18 November 2019, attended by 44 Branch members. The AGM was held with an event on the new Public Health and Wellbeing Plan: New Priority areas and challenges for future, hosted by Terry Slevin, together with a panel that included Mr David Malone (Assistant Director, Population Health, DHHS), Ms Fiona Armstrong (Executive Director, Climate and Health Alliance), Dr Sandro Demaio (CEO, VicHealth) and Ms Jillian Dent (Manager, Community Wellbeing, Merri Health). ● A webinar on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Policy was held in September where Jennifer Browne presented her very informative PhD findings and Summer May Finlay, PHAA Vice-President (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), convened a productive question and discussion session with participants, who attended either via live video link or here at VicHealth. The recording of this webinar is available to interested members online via the National website. ● Annual Careers Seminar - The 2019 Careers Night was held in October 2019. This annual career event provides students and early career health promotion and public health professionals with the opportunity to hear from and network with successful professionals in the field and gain insight into the diverse career opportunities available. The event was organised in collaboration with our partner organisations the Victorian branches of the Australian Health Promotion Association, Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine, and Australasian Epidemiological Association. The event was supported by the Doherty Institute, who provided the venue and security staff for free. Over 200 people registered to attend the event. Scholarships Vic Branch has continued our commitment to providing one to two scholarships per year. In 2019- 20, we awarded one full scholarship to the 2019 PHAA Annual Public Health Conference in Adelaide in September. Vic Branch supported VicHealth to award approximately 50 scholarships for PHAA and AHPA members to attend the 2019 PHAA Prevention Conference, which was hosted online.
Western Australian Branch
President: Hannah Pierce Vice-President: Corie Gray Treasurer: Samantha Bradder Secretary: Elizabeth Conner Committee: Anastasia Atzemis, Joseph Cuthbertson, Jenny Fairthorne (to April 2020), Mariana Galrao (from Janaury 2020 until April 2020), Stephanie Godrich (to December 2019), Kelly Kennington (from January 2020), Tiho Matic (to December 2019), Amy McDonald (from
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January 2020), Johanna Rewa, Jackie Smith, Sophie Van Dam, Lisa Wood, Cameron Wright (from January 2020), Zainab Zaki (from January 2020).
Achievement of strategic objectives in 2019-20 Strategic objective 1: Advocate for public health approaches to protect and promote the health of Western Australians In July 2019, the Don’t Bet on Health campaign commenced, encouraging the WA Government to amend the TAB Disposal Bill to stop the introduction of simulated racing machines in WA as part of the sale of the TAB. This campaign included: o Two public forums in partnership with the WA Council of Social Services and Anglicare WA. o Writing letters to the WA Legislative Council asking them to amend the Bill. o Meetings with six Members of Parliament. o Media engagement, including our president, Hannah Pierce speaking to ABC Perth radio in August 2019. o Promoting #DontBetOnHealth on social media. In October 2019, a letter to Minister John Quigley was sent regarding the age of criminal responsibility in WA. We also provided letters of support for a variety of public health initiatives led by Health Promotion students at Curtin University. In 2019, we communicated with the WA Government on the Sustainable Health Review Final Report on several occasions. In March 2020, we met with the Honourable Roger Cook MLA to discuss a number of key public health issues including: o Implementation of the Sustainable Health Review Final Report recommendations o Mandatory pregnancy alcohol warning labels o Outdoor advertising of junk food o Climate health In February 2020, we supported the Renew WA’s Call for Climate Action. In April 2020, a letter was sent to the WA Government in support of their decision to close guns shops and firearm dealerships in WA during the early stages of COVID-19. In June 2020, we commenced planning for our election platform for the 2021 WA State Election.
Strategic objective 2: Continue to build capacity in public health through knowledge, skills and information exchange In August 2019, we partnered with the Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS), Anglicare, and the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA to hold a public forum on electronic gambling and harm. The event attracted 56 registrations. We partnered with the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) WA Branch to deliver a successful Student Careers Night in August 2019 with over 100 registrations. In August 2019, we held a seminar with Terry Slevin, CEO PHAA, on What’s next for public health? There were 82 registrations for the event. In October 2019, we partnered with AHPA WA and Environmental Health Australia, along with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Impact Assessment and Collaboration for Evidence, Research, and Impact in Public Health at Curtin University, to host a screening of the film 2040. The film was followed a panel discussion on climate and health. There were more than 70 registrations and $135 was raised for the Climate and Health Alliance. We hosted a second public forum on electronic gambling and public health in October 2019 in partnership with WACOSS, the Financial Councillors’ Association WA and WA Association for Mental Health.
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Our AGM (November 2019) featured Cathy O’Leary, a freelance health journalist, who presented on Public health in the changing media landscape. Awarded one conference scholarship in April 2020 for a recipient to attend a PHAA conference of their choice in 2020. Awarded two conference scholarships (one general and one student registration) to attend the PHAA Preventative Health virtual conference in May 2020. In May 2020 we commenced a series of webinars, Public Health in Practice in WA. Topics included: o Alcohol marketing in the time of COVID-19, presented by Hannah Pierce, PHAA WA President and Alcohol Policy & Research Coordinator, Cancer Council WA. o Grant making in the COVID-19 context, presented by Julia Knapton, Director Health Promotion, Healthway. o Food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities, presented by Associate Professor Christina Pollard, Director, Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA, and PHAA Vice-President (Policy). Strategic objective 3: Increase membership and enhance engagement with current members Winners for the following 2019 Awards were announced at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2019: o Mentorship Award: recognises an outstanding individual in public health who continuously supports the public health workforce, particularly early-career colleagues, through informal and/or formal mentorship. o Unsung Hero Award: recognises a behind the scenes hero who works in public health, volunteers in the area, works on public health committees and supports others to succeed in public health. Such a person also works tirelessly to promote and achieve better health outcomes in WA, with little t recognition. o Significant Contribution to Public Health Award: recognises an outstanding contribution to public health and a genuine commitment to support and enrich the public health sector in WA. o Significant Contribution to PHAA WA Branch Award: recognises a PHAA WA member who significantly contributed to the activities of the PHAA WA Branch in 2019. In April 2020, we presented the Professor Colin Binns Award to a recent graduate of Master of Public Health from Curtin University. Distributed issues of In Touch in WA to PHAA WA members in September 2019 and May 2020. We continued to manage the PHAA WA Branch Twitter account with our number of followers growing to 2,034.
Strategic objective 4: Strengthen PHAA WA Branch operations In 2019, continued with a partnership mapping exercise to identify key public health organisations to collaborate with. In April 2020, we undertook a skills audit of the 2020 WA Branch committee to identify strengths and weaknesses. In May-June 2020, we reviewed the Terms of Reference for our Expert Advisory Group and invited public health experts in WA to the Group.
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Special Interest Group Reports
As with previous years, the Special Interest Groups (SIG) have worked hard to maintain and build on PHAA policy, to participate in advocacy work and to assist in building capacity. Many of the SIGs have been active in the preparation of submissions and in engaging with the media. This year the SIGs have again stepped up to the mark to address a range of emerging issues.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health SIG
Co-Convenors: Yvonne Luxford and Michael Doyle The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SIG has been pleased to see a lot of attention to our key issues during the year. We note with interest, and pride, that our SIG has the third-highest average membership of all of PHAA’s 18 SIGs, with around 13% of all PHAA members being members of our SIG at any one time. PHAA’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing is highlighted by a range of activities, including: The current strategic impetus, for the two-year period 2019-2020, provided by our organisations first Reconciliation Action Plan; The adoption in mid-2019, as one of the organisation’s five keynote federal political campaign targets, of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people; The continuing integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activities, and the selection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers and presenters, into our organisation’s events and conferences, especially highlighted at the Australian Public Health Conference in Adelaide in September 2019, and the Communicable Diseases Conference in Canberra in November 2019; Our suite of policy position statements, highlighting policies on general Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health, food security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the continuing highly exaggerated incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially young people. In May 2020 PHAA organised a busy program of events to mark Reconciliation week. This included a well-attended webinar featuring Tom Calma and Fiona Stanley sharing their reflections on the interaction of reconciliation and public health – for all Australians, and the publication of PHAA’s first Reconciliation report, highlighting all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought particular challenges to the defence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s wellbeing. While many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reside in Australia’s major cities, where COVID-19 has been most widespread, special measures were taken to prevent spread of the virus to our highly vulnerable remote communities. It is an enormous tribute to the local management of these communities, and the role of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations, that the virus has been excluded from these communities. PHAA strongly supports the role of ACCHOs in providing independent community leadership.
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The activities of the SIG leadership are closely associated with the work of the PHAA Vice-President for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, a role which highlights our organisation’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. Summer May Finlay has served in this role for the past two years, and we thank her for her efforts and assistance.
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs SIG
Co-Convenors: Mike Daube and Julia Stafford Article for Intouch Public Health (7 May 2020) - "Alcohol minimum unit price reduces harm in the Northern Territory" to draw attention to the key outcomes of the first-year evaluation of the NT's minimum price policy. Supporting the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol activities, including the comprehensive update of the policy priorities platform to be released in the second half of 2020. Support for submissions related to alcohol policy, including those led by others within PHAA. For example, the NHMRC consultation on the revised low risk drinking guidelines and NSW Liquor Amendment (24-hour economy) Bill. Active involvement in the virtual Prevention 2020 conference, including support for preparing the program.
Child Health SIG
Co-Convenors: Ruth Wallace and Jane Frawley Committee: Catharine Fleming, Rebecca Hammond, Lilian Tamas, Cristyn Davies, Mary Brushe, Michelle Gilmore, Sophie Manoy, Kate Weller Activities: Recruited new committee members (see list above) Established new communication channels using TEAMS Revised Child & Youth Health SIG objectives and updated on PHAA website Established a Twitter account and tweeting relevant posts 2-3 times weekly Issued a media statement in response to the bush fires early in 2020 https://www.phaa.net.au/documents/item/4251 Reviewed Child & Youth Health SIG policy/position statements and those of other SIGs – in the process of determining which health issues are most pressing with a view of developing policy/position statements in collaboration with other SIGs Gathering evidence for the development of an infographic in response to
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Hosted a practicum placement student from ECU who developed a membership survey, drafted a position statement and initiated a bibliography of recent reports relevant to Child & Youth Health Membership survey currently being administered – collecting data to establish what the Child & Youth Health SIG require from the committee and what areas of expertise might be available.
Complementary Medicine – Evidence, Research and Policy SIG
Co-Convenors: Jon Adams, Jon Wardle Committee: Alex Broom, David Sibbritt, Amie Steel 2019-20 saw the SIG develop its links with respective Special Interest Groups at the Chinese Preventive MedicaI Association (CPMA), Brazilian Collective Health Association (ABRASCO), Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) SIG on Alternative and Complementary Health Practice. The SIG and its equivalent body in APHA have met multiple times with WFPHA to establish an international working group on the topic. The SIG updated and approved its policy position statement and assumed responsibility for medicinal cannabis policy. Prof Wardle met with WHO in Geneva in March to further public health initiatives related to traditional and complementary medicine. In April Prof Wardle attended a WHO workshop targeting traditional and complementary medicine claims in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SIG Co-convenor Prof Wardle is currently Co-Chair of the NHMRC Natural Therapies Working Committee examining evidence for natural therapies as part of the review for private health insurance. Over the past two years the SIG has been conducting workshops at national and international public health events and both Distinguished Professor Jon Adams and Associate Professor Jon Wardle from our SIG Committee were to attend the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2020 and host a formal workshop. A similar event was also to be held at, and final results presented to, the World Congress of Public Health in Rome. Both these events were cancelled and the results are now being independently analysed for presentation next year. A leadership forum on public health and traditional and complementary medicine in conjunction with PAHO with the WFPHA Indigenous Working Group at the World Congress of Public Health had also been planned and was cancelled due to COVID-19, with collaborations with this group moving forward into next year. Members of the SIG Committee have been actively involved in a range of advocacy issues related to traditional and complementary medicine, including: TGA update of evidence guidelines and new pathways or listed medicines Improved TGA enforcement of breaches Work with TGA and FSANZ to clarify the food-medicine interface Department of Health consultation on safety of sports supplements Medical Board of Australia consultation on unproven treatments Reviews of unregistered practitioner Acts in New South Wales and Victoria
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Developing appropriate policy responses that delineate between recreational and medicinal cannabis policy Safety of herbal medicine and probiotic use in pregnancy for submission on the national pregnancy guidelines.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SIG
Co-Convenors: Brahm Marjadi (2019-2020, continuing in 2020-2021) and Penelope Strauss (2020-2021) Committee: Paul Gardiner, Tinashe Dune, Lea Merone, Kristen Glenister, Penelope Strauss, Pathik Mehta (2019-2020, continuing in 2020-2021), Virginia Mapedzahama (2019-2020) Focus areas 2019-2020, continuing in 2020-2021: PHAA Migration Policy (in collaboration with IH and EE SIGs) PHAA Inclusive Practice Guidelines Enhancing public health messages and reviewing mass media messages around diversity, equity and inclusion PHAA response to the Religious Discrimination Bill Curation of DEI resources Social media presence (Twitter handle @PhaaDei) Mentoring, regeneration and succession plan Involve early career members in the Committee and appoint an early career Co-Convenor Expand the work scope to aspects such as socio-economic levels and rural-urban spectrum Build stronger collaborations among members in advocacy, teaching, research and events, starting from mapping members’ areas of interest. Meetings Two Committee meetings (July 2019 and February 2020) and Annual General Meeting (28th May 2020). The Convenor attended the 2019 PHAA face-to-face meeting and SIG Convenors’ meetings. Workshop The DEI SIG ran a successful and well-attended workshop in the PHAA Annual Conference 2019 titled “Improving diversity, equity and inclusion in public health related organisations”. Submissions In 2019-2020 the DEI SIG contributed to 5 PHAA submissions/statements and 14 PHAA discussions/activities on various Diversity, Equity and Inclusion topics. Publications The Convenor contributed two articles in InTouch (November 2019 and February 2020).
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Ecology and Environment SIG
Co-Convenors: Peter Tait and Lea Merone EESIG continues to be active on many topics, particularly: Furthering action on stronger regulation of environmental chemical toxins: o Follow up input to the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, Strategic Consultative Committee and the chemical regulation review; o Input to draft Rules for the new Industrial Chemicals Act; o Submission to NSW Redirecting the Future of Plastics; Submission to the AAQ NEPM Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide (air quality standards) Review; Interviews and discussions consequent to the ANZJPH article on Health Effects of Incinerator Waste; Defending a safe climate particularly by submissions, media and support against the expansion of fossil fuels; Ensuring ecological and planetary health are included in the ACT Wellbeing Indicators; Continuing close collaborations with several PHAA branches and other SIGS. The EESIG has continued strong support for the Environmental Health Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (@WfphaE) with Liz Hanna as Chair and Peter Tait and Lea Merone as Committee members; The EESIG continued to represent PHAA on several external committees: Joe Hlubucek on the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme Strategic Consultative Committee and Standing Committee on Chemicals Stakeholder Forum; Michael Fonda on ANFA and the Rare Earth’s working group; and Rosalie Schultz as advisor for climate change health issues on the Climate Council NT. We note that COVID-19 has opened up opportunities to explore more sustainable practices such as teleconferencing and working from home, with measurable reductions in carbon emissions and particulate air pollution, and equity for people in different regions and with different abilities. PHAA's national conference will be more equitable and sustainable and provide opportunity for building experience of a more sustainable function. We would like to thank the Core Group: Jo Walker, Fiona Armstrong, Michael Bentley, Devin Bowles, Tim Cummins, Andrew Pengully, Liz Hanna, Melissa Haswell, Adrian Heard, Michael Fonda, Georgie Mulcahy, Paige Preston, Rosalie Schultz, and Andrew Waters for their support and efforts this year. Thanks also to Ben Ewald for convening the Air Quality group, Joe Hlubucek for his tireless work on chemicals, other SIG members who have responded to calls for help during the year, other SIG Conveners and Branch Presidents for collaborations, and our stalwart national office team. The full EESIG activity report against our operational plan is on the EESIG webpage. Follow us on @PHAA_Eco.
Food and Nutrition SIG
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Co-Convenors: Kathryn Backholer and Penny Love Committee: Gary Sacks, Emily Fitt, Amanda Lee, Bronwyn Ashton, Katherine Cullerton, Helen Vidgen, Judy Seal, Holly Jones, Alexandra Jones, Rimante Ronto, Sophie Nolan FANSIG has had a busy year, with a lot happening in the food and nutrition policy space, and new strategies to engage with early career FANISG members. We welcomed a new executive committee – Gary Sacks, Emily Fitt, Amanda Lee, Bronwyn Aston, Katherine Cullerton, Judy Seal, Holly Jones, Alexandra Jones, Rimante Ronto, Sophie Nolan, Ben Pike, and Michelle Gilmore. To support the high demand of interest from early career FANISG members to be more actively involved in FANSIG, we created an early career FANSIG representative position on our executive committee and introduced a rotating early career observer for executive meetings. We welcomed Cherrie Russel into the early career exec role, who will drive further early career FANSIG engagement over the next 12 months. To further support early career FANSIG members we awarded three scholarships to attend the World Public Health Nutrition Congress to: Early Career: Rebecca Lindberg PhD student: Christina Zorbas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECR: Tracey Hardy A number of FANSIG members were featured in the PHAA International Women’s Day publication to celebrate Australia’s most inspiring, fearless and energetic women. The report is available online (https://www.phaa.net.au/documents/item/4275). Our key priority for public health nutrition in Australia remains the development, funding, implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive National Nutrition Policy, to ensure a more strategic approach to evidence based and co-ordinated nutrition infrastructure and policy actions in Australia. With the progress of a National Obesity Strategy and a National Preventative Health Strategy, it is essential that a National Nutrition Policy be included in these deliberations. Policy Policy statements reviewed and updated: Health levy on Sugar Sweetened Beverages Health Star Rating We contributed to submissions for: Healthy Food Options for Class 4 Food Premises National Obesity Strategy 5-year review of the implementation of the Health Star Rating System And joined other public health organisations to make the statements related to: Mandatory Alcohol Pregnancy Warning Labels AANA food and beverages advertising code review against self-regulation
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Health Promotion SIG
Co-Convenors: Carmel Williams and Aziz Rahman Committee: Anne Maree Parish, Adam Zimmerman The Health Promotion Special Interest Group (SIG) elected a new Committee in March 2020. Carmel Williams and Aziz Rahman were re-elected as Co-Conveners, with Anne-Maree Parrish was elected as Secretary. The advent of COVID-19 has inhibited the capacity of the Health Promotion SIG Committee to progress plans for the HP SIG and this has resulted in a less active year. The HP SIG committee has been pleased to offer two Travel Scholarships for the PHAA Prevention Conference originally planned to be held in Perth in May this year. As a result of COVID-19 it was decided that the Prevention Conference would be virtual. One of the successful scholarship recipients postponed the scholarship award to till 2021, while the other accepted and attended remotely.
Immunisation SIG
Co-Convenors: Angela Newbound and Michelle Wills The Immunisation SIG continued to be active in advocacy around immunisation issues in Australia during the 2019-20 year: Despite the SIG authoring a submission with the SA branch to the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing, on the South Australian Public Health (Early Childhood Services and Immunisation) Amendment Bill, the Bill was implemented and took effect on 7th August 2020. The SIG will monitor the impact of this on immunisation rates in South Australia. The Immunisation SIG convenors continued to contribute to the planning of the 17th PHAA Immunisation Conference that was to be held at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, Perth, WA on 23-25 June, 2020. However, disappointingly, due to COVID-19, the conference has been postponed until 23rd – 25th July 2021. The venue remains the same and we remain hopeful travel restrictions within Australia will allow many providers to attend. Media interview in January regarding the inclusion of the words “human coronavirus with pandemic potential” being added to the Biosecurity (Listed Human Diseases) Amendment Determination 2016 by Professor Brendan Murphy, Director of Human Biosecurity. Supported the ‘community symptom tracker’ app. The app gathers contextual information about the health of the Australian population during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Immunisation SIG wishes to thank Terry Slevin, CEO and the PHAA staff for their ongoing dedication and support, and all vaccination providers across Australia for their tireless efforts.
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Injury Prevention SIG
Convenor: Richard Franklin At the end of 2020 the World Injury Prevention Conference was to be held in Australia. This was to mark the return of the conference for first time since 1997 when it was in Melbourne. A significant amount of the SIG’s time was spent working towards the planning for the conference. Unfortunately, with the impact of COVID-19 this has meant that the conference is now delayed until 2022. This has however opened up a new opportunity for a virtual global showcase in March 2021 in lieu of the conference which we hope will be well attended, and provide a global voice for the prevention of injuries globally. Work continues on the development of the National Injury Prevention Strategy and many members of the SIG have been involved in providing feedback, with the PHAA SIG providing formal feedback to the draft strategy. While it is great to see the work continuing it is our hope that there is a strong focus on the determinants of health, links to other strategies which enhance their effectiveness, and that it addresses issues around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander injury, those from non-English speaking backgrounds, rural and remote populations and older Australians. We will revisit the PHAA Injury Prevention Policy Position Statement once we have a new Strategy and develop our advocacy position to address injury in Australia. We have continued our professional development series with a successful Master Class at the Australian Injury Prevention Conference Brisbane in November 2019. This Master class explored a wide range of injury issues and specifically looked at how good data, clear policy and evidence-based prevention programs can deliver injury prevention outcomes. It was especially interesting to hear about some of the history of injury prevention with Professor John Pearn regaling the workshop with a look at the evolution of armour and its links to modern day safety equipment. The SIG continues its advocacy work and as well as working towards updating its policies, it has provided input into a number of submissions to governments on issues around road safety, fire arm legislation and quad bikes. Injury prevention needs to be continued to work towards addressing the wide range of safety issues, including violence, suicide, alcohol related harm, work force development and understanding how the determinants of health impact on injuries and what can be undertaken to mitigate this impact. We look forward to the virtual global showcase in 2021 and ‘touch wood’ the World Safety Conference in Adelaide in 2022.
International Health SIG
Convenors: Jaya Dantas Committee: Brahm Marjadi, Tambri Housen, Dr Aziz Rehman, Rachel Heenan, Rachel Brennan, Prof Maxine Whittaker, Claire Rogers, Shelly Gower, Penelope Strauss, Claire Roger The International Health Special Interest Group (IH SIG) has been involved in a number of advocacy, conference and support activities during the year. National SIG meetings
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The Convener attended the SIG convener meetings via teleconference during the year 2018 and in 2019 as their work and travel schedules permitted. Scholarships IH SIG provided two student scholarships for the Australian Public Health Conference in Adelaide, September 2019. IH SIG has offered six competitive student scholarships for the virtual Australian Public Health Conference, October 2020. Advocacy, Publications and Media activities The IH has supported and endorsed the following advocacy activities and contributed to national submissions during the year. The SIG contributed to: PHAA article and blog on 75 years since Hiroshima & Nagasaki Bombing PHAA Submission into the Senate Inquiry into Government response to COVID-19 Media Release on: Temporary migrants in limbo because of COVID-19: Implications for health & well-being Media Release on: COVID-19 and Refugees in Immigration Detention Supported the Open Letter: Undocumented Migrants in Australia during the COVID-19 Crisis Supported the People's Call for Healthcare not Warfare – IPAN Contributed to the IH, MH, DEI SIGs: submission on human rights protections and mental health The media release on the proposed repeal of the Medevac bill Advocacy for a more humane treatment of Asylum seekers by supporting the Refugee Council of Australia, the Refugee Advocacy Group and Academics for Refugees ARROW's (The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women) Statement on Rights of the Child PHAA pregnancy guidelines national submission. Other Activities The IH SIG continues to contribute articles to In-Touch. Dr Tambri Housen IH SIG committee member led the development of the three contact tracing modules developed in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada and ACT Health through funding from TEPHINET, which are now live on the WHO/GOARN COVID-19 Knowledge Hub. Tambri has trained contact tracers in ACT and NSW during the COVID-19 pandemic. The modules have already been accessed by Pakistan and Myanmar. This has been a very exciting collaboration with The MAE program at ANU, Canadian FETP and ACT Health. The links to the individual courses are: Introduction to Contact Tracing: https://extranet.who.int/goarn/training-catalogue Mental Health and Wellbeing for Contact Tracers https://extranet.who.int/goarn/node/141018/take Social Determinants, Culture and Contact Tracing https://extranet.who.int/goarn/node/141015/take Dr Housen will be facilitating a session on contact tracing with the India, Belize and Ugandan field epidemiology training programs and the Public Health Informatics Institute in the USA.
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Dr Housen has also contributed to the WHO Contact Tracing guidance: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/contact-tracing-in-the-context-of-covid-19 Dr Claire Rogers committee member leads the advocacy on global sexual and reproductive health and also spent six months in North East Nigeria in Yobe and Borno States with the World Food Programme. Dr Brahm Marjadi and Prof Jaya Dantas presented a webinar LGBTQIA+ Refugees Pre-Flight Experiences Webinar held on 30th July 2020 by the Cultural Diversity Network, Inc. Penelope Strauss is currently the Chair of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Student Initiative and Student Representative to the WPATH Board of Directors. Through the PHAA twitter account for the International Health SIG we continue to contribute to social media as the opportunity arises.
Justice Health SIG
Convenor: Tony Butler The major focus of the Justice Health SIG in the past year has been the ongoing campaign to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Australia, which has direct implications for the health and wellbeing of many young Australians. In Australia the law says that any child aged 10 or above may be charged with criminal offences. This is out of kilter with international recommendations and many OECD countries, with the medical evidence on the age of criminal responsibility clear that children do not have the cognitive capacity to be held criminally responsible at 10 years old. PHAA is one of many organisations which have joined in an effort to persuade the federal, state and territory Attorneys-General and governments to change the age of responsibility to at least 14, in line with many other countries. While actual criminal charges against very young teenagers are rare, the current law creates a culture in which teenagers who start to become involved with the justice system become trapped in a cycle of harmful interactions with the justice system with life-changing consequences, affecting health and well-being. Moreover, sending children to correctional institutions or prison can cause them lifelong harm, increases rates of mental illness and trauma, and can lead to early death. The problem is especially acute in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young Australians. As at mid-2020, the campaign has won considerable support, but is yet to achieve a favourable government decision. PHAA efforts on this issue will certainly go on.
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Mental Health SIG
Co-Convenors: Fiona Robards and Erica McIntyre Committee: Michael Smith, Tracey Oorschot, Amelia Lowe, Tonia Ledwith and Matthew Jackman Policy development and review Mental Health and Climate Change Policy (in partnership with Ecology and Environment SIG) was a new policy developed Work and Mental Health Policy was revised Policy submissions The Productivity Commission inquiry the economic impact of mental illness draft report NSW Sustainability of energy supply inquiry Women's Health Policy Alliance - fourth policy forum on mental health Bushfire inquiry COVID-19 Events Webinar on Work as a Social Determinant of Mental Health and Wellbeing, held on 10 October 2019 with guest Professor Tony LaMontagne, Deakin University, facilitated by Ian Muchamore. Policy promotion Paper delivered on Youth Mental Health Policy at the Australian Public Health Conference in Adelaide 2019 by Fiona Robards
One Health SIG
Co-Convenors: Dr Van Joe Ibay and Dr Andrea Britton Committee: Bradley O’Hagen, Lars Henning, Bonnie Cumming, Meru Sheel, Andrea Britton, Van Joe Ibay The One Health SIG committee (seven members) has met quarterly (July, Sept, Feb and May) over the year. Members have been active in attending PHAA policy team webinar on pathways to create submissions to government and parliament, and articles for PHAA Bulletin and Pump (COVID and SARS-2 animal reservoir, Q-Fever and COVID and One Health). Members also busy with new policy following the bushfires on One Health and Climate Change and updating current policies. Three SIG committee members have volunteered to PHAA COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group to support the Technical Expert Response Committee. Several members have had abstracts accepted for the 6th One Health Congress. Members were privileged to be included in the PHAA Celebrating Women in Public Health document released on International Women’s Day in March. Discussions with AVPH SIG of Australian Veterinary Association and ASID to create a One Health Listserv for members to enable more rapid and efficient discussion and action.
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Members have contributed to Senate Inquiry into the Governments Response to COVID-19 submission by PHAA (below) and represented PHAA on community panel discussion to provide input for the Review of Agvet Chemical Regulatory Framework and providing input into PHAA written submission for this review. We are keen to engage more members to join the SIG and to participate in promoting a One Health approach to public health. One Health SIG contribution to PHAA submission into the Australian government’s response to COVID-19 pandemic.The COVID-19 demonstrates that human and animal health are interdependent, closely linked to the health of the ecosystems, and that a One Health approach recognising these links, is paramount to prevent future epidemics. The new COVID-19 is caused by a SARS-CoV-2 molecularly similar to the coronavirus found in bats. Given the initially infected cases in Wuhan and their association with the live-animal markets, it is very likely that the virus has been transmitted from animals and subsequently adapted to human-to- human transmission. Several years ago researchers in China discovered many coronaviruses in bats but the sharing of data between sectors and necessary interventions to prevent transmission of these viruses to other animals and humans did not happen. The new coronavirus is similar to the SARS-1 virus that caused the 2003 epidemic and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus first detected in 2012 that infects camels before transmitting to humans. The linkages of these zoonotic diseases with the wildlife trade has led to the closure of wildlife trade in China.
Extract from submission by PHAA to the Senate Inquiry into the Governments Response to COVID-19: With 3 out of every 4 emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases originating from animals especially wildlife like those traded in live-animal markets, the Australian Government should: Urgently adopt a One Health approach to disease surveillance (risk-based) including establishing a National Wildlife Disease Surveillance system in Australia Assess the wildlife trade and increase regulations associated with this trade Strengthen veterinary services within Australia and regionally to enable appropriate epidemiological investigations of disease outbreaks Ensure the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness is up-graded to enable high quality diagnosis of diseases and to support neighboring countries in laboratory capacity building for zoonotic disease diagnosis Collaborate with One Health surveillance and lab capacity building programs like the PREDICT project Support COVID-19 One Health Research Coalition Incorporate One Health approaches in medical and animal health curriculum and all emergency disease preparedness and response plans Review legislation associated with pandemics to ensure necessary regulations are in place to ensure information sharing and interventions across sectors
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Oral Health SIG
Convenor: Tan Nguyen Committee: John Rogers, Shalika Hegde, Leione Short, Tammy Allen, Russell McGowan, Claire Long, Claire Phelan, David Walker, Clive Wright, Natalia Savin, Jamie Robertson, Jenny McKibben, Silvana Bettiol, Kostas Kapellas, Linda Slack-Smith, Hope Alexander, Pathik Mehta The last few months have been busy in the midst of the unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The oral health industry has been affected as a result of restrictions to dental practice commencing in April 2020. Of concern has been its impact on many public sector dental services. Dental restrictions have been increased in some public dental jurisdictions to assure the health and safety of patients while balancing the risk and public health response in preventing and managing COVID-19 cases. The OHSIG has continued to maintain a strong relationship and engagement with the National Oral Health Alliance (NOHA) and the Victorian Oral Health Alliance (VOHA). Several policy and advocacy communications have been co-signed with PHAA as a partner organisation. PHAA has specifically written to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to congratulate the government on the implementation of the school dental program with its public health preventive efforts. The PHAA recommended to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) that oral health data be included within its Primary Health Care Datasets. Although not yet accepted, it is anticipated that continuing dialogue with AIHW will eventually make this important change to measuring the performance of primary health care in Australia. Late last year, Bruce Simmons, John Rogers, Toni Hassan and Tan Nguyen co-authored a Croakey piece calling for action addressing inequities in oral health during Dental Health Week. Several media releases and key publications by PHAA and partner organisations via NOHA and VOHA have been shared with stakeholders throughout the year. The OHSIG noted the changes to the Dental Board of Australia’s Revised Scope of Practice Standard, which came into effect from July 2020. The PHAA also endorsed a submission made to the ADC/DC(NZ) Accreditation Standards. The OHSIG reviewed the Oral Health policy position statement during 2020. Recently, two key activities have occurred via the OHSIG. There have been mounting efforts by PHAA members to promote and expand water fluoridation in remote communities of the NT. In addition, we have recommended the adoption of telehealth consultation for the existing federal dental program, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. An important change since last year is the increased communication efforts via the PHAA’s The Pump on oral health related matters. It is anticipated that regular updates on oral health will continue to capture the interest of non-OHSIG members. Finally, I wish to warmly welcome Dr Amit Arora, who has expressed interest in sharing the role of co-Convenor for the coming year.
Political Economy of Health SIG
Co-Convenors: Dr Deborah Gleeson and Dr Francisco Valencia
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Committee: David Legge, Paul Laris, Liz Moore, Tracy Schrader, Belinda Townsend, Joe Carrello, Jayne Flanagan, Tim Woodruff Political Economy is about money and power. The political economy of health is about how economic dynamics and political forces shape health care and population health, and are in turn shaped by health trends. The purpose of the Political Economy of Health (PEH) Special Interest Group is to provide a community of interest within PHAA within which we are able to share our concerns, analyses, and experiences and work together to strengthen our practice. PEH SIG’s central activity for 2019 was a workshop held in collaboration with the People’s Health Movement Australia (PHM Oz) in Adelaide on 20 September, entitled ‘Where does the progressive health movement go in an era of neo-liberalism? Planning for health equity and an ecologically sustainable society.’ The workshop included a moving tribute to global health giant Professor David Sanders, and a panel discussion on social security policy and advocacy, and the impacts of widening inequalities and wealth. During our lunch break we joined the climate march as a group. At this workshop we also thanked David Legge for his enormous contribution over many years as co- convenor of the SIG. Francisco was introduced as incoming co-convenor at the PHAA conference following the workshop. PEH SIG’s main advocacy activities have included continued engagement in trade and health advocacy, monitoring Australia’s trade agreements and participating in international civil society networks. PEH SIG members contributed a section on access to medicines and vaccines to PHAA’s submission to the inquiry into Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, and made a submission to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee inquiry into the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade in June 2020. In 2019, we also revised PHAA’s policy position statement on health inequities.
Primary Health Care SIG
Co-Convenors: Russell McGowan and Shalomie Shadrach Committee: Jacqui Allen, Rosalie Schultz, Selva Shan, Sameera Ansari, Isaac Mengee, Joanne Sahedo, Shahrukh Khan
During the financial year 2019/20, the main activities of the Primary Health Care SIG were as follows. Policies Primary Health Care - Policy position statement updated by SIG members led by Gwyn Jolley, Selva Shan and Uday Narayan Yadav Gambling Industry Funding policy position statement updated by Rosalie Schultz Additionally, contribution into Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity policy position statement review by members Communication and promotion Twitter account maintained
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PHC SIG Newsletters sent to all members in July 2019. The Newsletter in 2020 has been put on hold. COVID-19 - Special Teleconference - Changes to the MBS explained, 06 April 2020 PHG SIG member’s survey was disseminated with a rationale to identify member needs to improve participation. Results yet to be collated and evaluated. Thanks to Gwyn Jolley and SIG members for working on it. Impact of COVID-19 on PHC in Australia briefing paper was prepared and distributed to PHC SIG members Contribution towards PHAA COVID-19 Advisory Group Prevention Conference 2020 Scholarship was advertised however no expression of interest application was received. Meetings Three committee meetings held in 2019-20. Participation in AGM (21st Aug 2020) and PHAA SIG convenors meetings
Women's Health SIG
Co-Convenors: Professor Angela Dawson and Dr. Geri Vaughan Committee: Suzanne Belton (NT), Bronwyn Silver (NT), Michelle le Roux (Vic), Melanie Gibson (Vic), Mischa Barr (Vic), Jenny Ejlak (Vic), Melissa Graham (Vic), Kerry Hampton (Vic), Mary Stewart (NSW), Sabrina Pit (NSW), Caroline Harvey (Qld), Amie Steel (Qld), Melissa Hobbs (ACT) The WHSIG welcomed Geri Vaughan to the co-convenor role in April 2020. We thank Dr Mearon O’Brien for all her efforts in this role. The SIG has been active in its advocacy role. This included development and revision of PHAA policy position statements, submissions to federal and state governments and ongoing stakeholder engagement and advocacy across different sectors and the community. Examples of work undertaken are detailed below. National advocacy and networking The SIG contributed to a report “Celebrating International Women’s Day” released on 8th March 2020. This recognises some of the women who have made enormous contributions to the PHAA, to public health, and to the health of people in Australia and beyond. The SIG has continued its work as the PHAA representative on the Executive of the Australasian Sexual Health Alliance (ASHA), a multidisciplinary network for the sexual health workforce. In this capacity, the SIG has also participated in ASHM’s (Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine) COVID-19 taskforce on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexual health. In June 2020, we co-convened a Webinar on the Covid-19 pandemic and sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Pacific. https://ashm.org.au/covid-19/webinars/ As part of its work in ASHA, the SIG is helping to plan a symposium at this year’s 2020 Australasian Sexual Health Conference in September (on-line). The symposium is entitled “Adding it Up: A comprehensive approach to delivering contraception and abortion services”.
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The WHSIG was invited to participate in a Standards Australia committee on the standardisation of requirements for menstrual tampons, including materials, design performance and microbial limits in May 2020. This committee is due to deliver its recommendations at the end of the year focusing on menstrual tampons packaging, marking a classification system and accompanying information. We supported the Campaign to make Early Medication Abortion (ema) available to SA women via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The SIG has contributed to the SPHERE (Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health) COVID-19 Coalition consensus statements. The provision of long-acting reversible contraception during the COVID-19 pandemic, Using telehealth to provide early medical abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a consensus statement and Evidence-based practice Policy recommendations regarding early medical abortion: a consensus statement. This coalition emerged from the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women in Primary Care; 2020 https://www.spherecre.org/coalition The SIG co-signed a letters to the: Hon. Greg Hunt, Australian Government Minister for Health in July to advocate for removing the requirement that only regular patients can access MBS telehealth. Attorney General, the Hon Christian Porter MP. regarding concerns government’s proposed family court merger which will result in the loss of a stand-alone specialist superior family court. A Twitter handle @PHAA_Women has been established. Submissions to governments The SIG contributed to the following PHAA submissions Submission on the Draft National Report for Australia’s Third Universal Periodic Review calling for greater analysis of sexual and reproductive health and rights (July 2020) • Pregnancy care guidelines review - nutrition, physical activity and weight (July 2020) • Modern Slavery Act 2018 and associated matters (NSW) (October 2019) • Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages (October 2019) • AIHW Amendment (Assisted Reproductive Treatment Statistics) Bill 2019 (September 2019) Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 (NSW) (August 2019) Women’s Health Victoria, October 2019 Submission Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics Review International activities Provided input into the Interagency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises Workforce Committee. Represented on the working group to develop an Asia Pacific Consortium on Emergency Contraception that will form part of the International Consortium. Policy position statements reviewed or developed
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Contraception Abortion The SIG is working with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SIG on a sexuality and gender-diversity policy position statement. WHSIG Membership The SIG updated its list of 181 members’ expertise and opportunities.
20 Napier Close Deakin ACT Australia 2600 – PO Box 319 Curtin ACT Australia 2605 PagePage | | 79 79 T (02) 6285 2373 E [email protected] W www.phaa.net.au PHAA ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20 Acknowledgements
For the first time on our annual report we have attempted to capture the extraordinary contribution made to the work of the PHAA with this “list of contributors”. Members (and non-members) are listed and they have contributed to our policy, advocacy and /or events work. Some have contributed in two, or even all three areas. All are highly valued. Some will have contributed but may prefer not to be listed. Our attempt is to recognise the enormous number of public health people across and beyond Australia who volunteer their expertise to the public health effort through our Association. To all of them we wish to send a heartfelt thanks and expression of our appreciation. If you have contributed and your name is absent (or if you prefer to be anonymous and you are named) we apologise in advance.
Policy & Advocacy Contributors Leisha Aberle Ilan Abrahams Jon Adams Jacqui Allen Lisa Amir Peter Anderson Rebecca Anderson Bronnie Anderson-Smith Amit Arora Sorrell Ashby Bronwyn Ashton Kathryn Backholer Mischa Barr Vijayalakshmi Baskar Fran Baum Margaret Beavis Rose Bell Suzanne Belton Stephen Bendle Brenna Bernardino Amelia Berner Brigita Bezjak Peter Black Jacquie Bowden Carol Bower Devin Bowles Rachael Brennan Andrea Britton Aimee Brownbill Pip Buckingham Tony Butler Annette Byron Joe Carrello Bronwyn Carter Stephen Christley Abrar Ahmad Chughtai Rufus Clarke Helen Clifford Jo Cochrane Elizabeth Connor John Coveney Benjamin Cowie Gemma Crawford Emma Croager Katherine Cullerton Bonny Cumming Joe Cuthbertson Jaya Dantas Mike Daube Angela Dawson Angus Dawson Maddie Day Yosefine Deans Letitia Del Fabbro Elizabeth Denney-Wilson Jenny Donnelly Bob Douglas Michael Doyle Tinashe Dune Elizabeth Elliott Ian Epondulan Ben Ewald Precious Farounbi Penny Farrell Eleonora Feletto Emily Fitt Grace Fitzgerald Michael Fonda Louise Francis Richard Franklin Jane Frawley Paul Gardiner Michelle Gilmore Deborah Gleeson John Glover Karen Glover Jenny Goodare Louisa Gordon Corie Gray Rohan Greenland Karleen Gribble Lily Grigsby-Duffy Robert Hall Liz Hanna Patrick Harris Suzie Harte Ken Harvey Toni Hassan Melissa Haswell Ahmed Hazazi Kairui He Adrian Heard Lars Henning Trish Hepworth Joe Hlubucek Krishna Hort Elizabeth Howard Natasha Howard Eloise Howse Naomi Hull Van Joe Ibay Michelle Irving Matthew Jackman Edward Jegasothy Travers Johnstone Gwyn Jolley Alexandra Jones Holley Jones Helen Jordan Kim Jose Jenni Judd Siddarth Kaladharan Kate Kameniar Wendy Keech Helen Keleher Kelly Kennington Danica Keric Jennifer Lacy-Nichols Julie Leask Kym Lang
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Kristy Law Tonia Ledwith Amanda Lee Natasha Lee Stephen Leeder David Legge Margaret Lesjak Rebecca Liackman Charles Livingstone Emma Lonsdale Evelyn Looi Penny Love Amelia Lowe Yvonne Luxford Jennifer MacLachlan Virginia Mapedzahama Brahm Marjadi Helen Marshall Jane Martin Summer May Finlay Alison McAleese Kate McBride Russell McGowan Erica McIntyre Karen Menigoz Lea Merone Chris Morris Katrina Moss Maryam Mozooni Georgina Mulcahy Angela Newbound Tan Nguyen Anna Nicholson Sophie Nolan Mearon O’Brien Tracey Oorschott Neil Orr Tassia Oswald Jude Page Kate Panaretto Anne-Maree Parrish Andrew Pengilley Simone Pettigrew Hannah Pierce Ben Pike Christina Pollard Dannielle Post Paige Preston Cheneal Puljević Claire Pulker Aziz Rahman Towfiq Rahman Fiona Robards Nick Roberts Priscilla Robinson John Rogers Rimante Ronto Rameshwar Roy Tilman Ruff Lucie Rychetnik Gary Sacks Peter Sainsbury Rosalie Schultz Judy Seal Linda Selvey Shalomie Shadrach Selva Shanmuganathan Hafiz Sharif Meru Sheel Catherine Silsbury Bruce Simmons Linda Slack-Smith Julie Smith Michael Smith Mieke Snijder Julia Stafford Rosemary Stanton Amie Steel Sheena Sandra Steele Lara Stoll Penelope Strauss Sullivan Roscoe Peter Tait Ann Taket Jared Talavera Taylor Sandra David Templeman Richard Thode David Thomas Thompson Anne-Marie Thow Belinda Townsend Helen Truscott Francisco Valencia Hassan Vally Geri Vaughan Lennert Veerman Malcolm Vickers David Walker Ruth Wallace Jon Wardle Andrew Waters Jacqui Webster David Whiteman Annie Whybourne Carmel Williams Michelle Wills Andrew Wilson Tim Woodruff Alyson Wright Uday Narayan Yadav Ying Zhang
20 Napier Close Deakin ACT Australia 2600 – PO Box 319 Curtin ACT Australia 2605 PagePage | | 81 81 T (02) 6285 2373 E [email protected] W www.phaa.net.au PHAA ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20
Event Committee Members In addition to the relevant PHAA staff, the following contributed to the organisation of events on a voluntary basis:
Australian Public Health Communicable Diseases World Public Health Preventive Health Conference 2019 Control Conference 2019 Nutrition Congress 2020 Conference 2020
David Templeman Martyn Kirk Margaret Miller Tarun Weeramanthri Kate Kameniar Vanessa Johnston Steve Pratt Denise Sullivan Summer May Finlay Jenny Firman Amanda Lee Anita Dessaix Christina Pollard Sandra Gebbie Christina Pollard Julie Anne Mitchell Aimee Brownbill Ben Howden Helen Vidgen Helen Keleher Michael Doyle Heather D’Antoine Kathryn Backholer Lucie Rychetnik Tony Adams Faline Howes Ros Sambell Hannah Pierce Danielle Borroughs Brett Sutton Penny Love Taneisha Hansen Blesson Varghese Jodie McVernon Deanne Minniecon Ronda Clarke Paul Artrong Libby Swanepoel Michele Herriot Anna Colwell Mark Lawrence Gemma Crawford Marcelle Noja Mihaela Ivan International Organising Committee Margaret Miller Angela Carriedo Olivia Yambi Claudio Schuftan Vandana Prasad Libby Swanepoel Regina Keith
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2019-20 Abstract Reviewers list
Australian Public Health Conference 2019 Emma Croager Rosalie Schultz Luis Furuya-Kanamori Rona Macniven Giulia Fabris Shelley Thompson Paul Gardiner Brahm Marjadi Nadine Hillock Elizabeth Young Melissa Hobbs Magdalena Moshi Melissa Ledger Jannine Bailey Ashwini Kannan Smriti Nepal Cath MacDonald Alexandra Bhatti Erin Kelty Muhammad Aziz Ilse O’ferrall Jessica Bucholc Jennifer Lacy-Nichols Rahman Rezanur Rahama Kaeleen Dingle Mah Laka Jackie Roseleur Bernadette Roberts Jenny Fairthorne Yolanda Lovie-Toon Cameron Wright Jianjun Xiang
Communicable Diseases Control Conference 2019 Jannine Bailey Neil Franklin Bobby Maher Tim Sloan-Gardner Frank Beard Luis Furuya-Kanamori Donna Mak James Smith Sonya Bennett Sandra Gebbie Luda Molchanoff Helen Smith Ruby Biezen Marisa Gilles Anthony Moore Nicola Stephens Frances Birrell Anna Glynn-Robinson Tsitsi Mubaiwa Katherine Todd Lauren Bloomfield Pari Shanmuga Raman Nabreesa Murphy Michael Traeger Luis Caceres Gurusamy Millie Nakatsuka Nectaria Tzimourtas Kylie Carville Catherine Helps Huah Shin Ng Stacey Van Dongen Jocelyn Chan Vanessa Johnston Neil Orr Blesson Varghese Samantha Colquhoun Annelysse Jorgenson Helen Quinn Mark Veitch Heather D'Antoine Anthea Katelaris Jackie Roseleur Rhiannon Wallace Bridget Draper Mah Laka Kathleen Ryan Maxine Whittaker Minh Cuong Duong Courtney Lane Rosalie Schultz Alyson Wright Marion Easton Paraniala Lui Shalomie Shadrach Rosemary Wright Harrison Edwards Julia Maguire Meru Sheel Trent Yarwood Maged Elnajeh
Preventive Health Conference 2020 Gina Ambrosini Anne Grunseit Margaret Lesjak Wenbo Peng Sarah Beasley Pari Shanmuga Raman Natalia Lizama Paige Preston Alexia Bivoltsis Gurusamy Heidi Lord Aziz Rahman Sigrid Blackman Pauline Gwatirisa Kerryann Lotfi-Jam Linda Slack-Smith Emily Brennan D'Arcy Holman Paraniala Lui Melissa Stoneham Samantha Chapman Nicole Hughes Catherine MacDonald Blesson Varghese Emily Dance Helen Jordan Fiona Mckenzie Wendy Watson Annette Dobson Danica Keric Samantha Menezes Caroline Watts Melinda Edmunds Melanie Kingsland Carly Moores Maxine Whittaker Harrison Edwards Kym Lang Huah Shin Ng Annika Wilson Jane Estoesta Melissa Ledger Sylvester Okeke Emily You Giulia Fabris Natasha Lee Olumuyiwa Omonaiye Elizabeth Young Ray Goudey
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World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020 Hamed Adetunji Megan Ferguson Camila Maranha Paes De Kathryn Reilly Bronwyn Ashton Anne Finch Carvalho Kathy Ride Jenny Atkins Wendy Foley Sarah Marshall Malcolm Riley Liza Barbour Sarah Gerritsen Alison McAleese Joanna Russell Mary Margaret Barth Tim Gill Julia McCartan Fariha Salman Miranda Blake Sadar Ginting Melissa Mialon Rosalind Sambell Rachel Boak Pari Shanmuga Raman Margaret Miller Claudio Schuftan Tara Boelsen-Robinson Gurusamy Carly Moores Sarah Kirsty Seward Jennifer Browne Roger Hughes Mounsey Shruti Rakesh Bhooshan Sarah Burkhart Holley Jones Muralidharan Sharma Luis Caceres Irmgard Jordan Sandra Murray Steve Simpson, Jr. Lauren Carpenter Regina Keith Millie Nakatsuka Ihab Tewfik Karen Charlton Melanie Kingsland Huah Shin Ng Emma Tonkin Denise Costa Coitinho Daniel Kpewou Sorush Niknamian Kora Uhlmann Delmue Jennifer Lacy-Nichols Lydia O’Meara Stacey Van Dongen Katherine Cullerton Zohra Lassi Neil Orr Wendy Watson Kacie Dickinson Rebecca Lindberg Christian Pedrosa Jill Whelan Helen Dixon Penny Love Anita Peerson Steve Niranjani Katherine Dunn Catherine MacDonald Pratt Wickramasinghe Harrison Edwards Trias Mahmudiono Claire Pulker Ashleigh Wilson Maged Elnajeh Jason Wu Emma Fehring Dongshan Zhu Christina Zorbas
20 Napier Close Deakin ACT Australia 2600 – PO Box 319 Curtin ACT Australia 2605 PagePage | | 84 84 T (02) 6285 2373 E [email protected] W www.phaa.net.au PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
ABN 41 062 894 473
FINANCIAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
Your Board members submit the financial report of Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated (the Association) for the financial year ended 30 June 2020.
Board members
The names of the Board members of the Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated throughout the year and at the date of this report are:
Names Position Appointed/Resigned Mr David Templeman President Re-elected 28/09/2018 Dr Christina Pollard Vice President (Policy) Re-elected 28/09/2018 Mr Rohan Greenland Vice President (Development) Elected 28/09/2018 Dr Paul Gardiner Vice President (Finance) Appointed 18/09/2019 Associate Professor Vice President (Finance) Resigned 18/09/2019 Richard Franklin Dr Summer May Finlay Vice President (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Appointed 18/09/2019 Ms Kate Kameniar Branch Presidents’ Representative Appointed 18/09//2019 Mr Devin Bowles Branch Presidents’ Representative Appointed 18/09/2019 Ms Lea Merone SIG Conveners’ Representatives Appointed 18/09/2019 Ms Kathryn Backholer SIG Conveners’ Representatives Appointed 18/09/2019 Dr Peter Tait SIG Conveners’ Representatives Resigned 18/09/2019 Mr John Lowe ANZJPH Editor Ex-Officio member Dr Aimee Brownbill Student & Early Career Professionals Representative Appointed 18/09/2019
Members have been in office since the start of the financial year to the date of this report unless otherwise stated.
Principal Activities
The principal activity of the Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated during the financial year was the provision of information relating to public health issues to members and advocacy on public health issues.
Significant Changes
The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the way of life, economy and financial markets in Australia. This has affected the ability of PHAA to continue operations as usual and has impacted on its operating results. A significant area which has been impacted by the pandemic is our events area which required converting face to face events to virtual in a short space of time. In some instances venue agreements for events scheduled prior to 30 June 2020 have been transferred into the following years. The result of these changes impacted the usual number of refunds processed and the treatment of income and payments. In addition, and in accordance with national guidelines, PHAA implemented remote working arrangements in response to government requirements and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all employees and visitors the required COVID19 Return to work plans were designed and implemented.
2 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
Operating Result
The operating surplus for the year ended 30 June 2020 amounted to $134,578 (2019: loss $32,421).
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board.
Board Member
Board Member
Dated this 28 day of September 2020
3 p (+61 2) 6239 5011 e [email protected] Level 3, 44 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603 PO Box 4390 Kingston ACT 2604 ABN 14 942 509 138 bellchambersbarrett.com.au
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION UNDER S60-40 OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS COMMISSION ACT 2012 TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
As lead auditor of Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 June 2020 there have been no contraventions of: i. the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Australian Charities and Not-For- Profits Commission Act 2012 in relation to the audit; and ii. any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
James Barrett, CA Canberra, ACT Registered Company Auditor Dated this 28th day of September BellchambersBarrett 2020
4 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
2020 2019 Note $ $
Revenue from ordinary activities 2 2,479,635 2,105,095 Conference expenses (844,668) (637,401) Publications (212,534) (213,362) Administrative employee costs 3 (1,007,121) (1,018,356) Other administrative costs (223,397) (194,403) Depreciation and amortisation 3 (25,981) (24,452) Branch expenses (20,326) (34,434) Special interest group expenses (11,030) (13,608) Bad debts expense - (1,500)
Net surplus / (deficit) from operations 134,578 (32,421)
Other comprehensive income Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Gains on revaluation of land and buildings - -
Other comprehensive income for the year - -
Total comprehensive surplus / (deficit) income for the year 134,578 (32,421)
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
5 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 June 2020
2020 2019 Note $ $
ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 4 1,102,402 446,984 Trade and other receivables 5 125,109 39,690 Financial assets 6 156,848 154,008 Other current assets 7 196,733 166,318
Total Current Assets 1,581,092 807,000
Non-current Assets Property, plant and equipment 8 654,870 669,729 Intangibles 9 834 1,667
Total Non-current Assets 655,704 671,396
Total Assets 2,236,796 1,478,396
LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Trade and other payables 10 253,630 168,569 Short-term provisions 11 104,168 89,133 Other current liabilities 12 847,862 330,554
Total Current Liabilities 1,205,660 588,256
Non-current Liabilities Long-term provisions 11 15,622 9,204
Total Non-current Liabilities 15,622 9,204
Total Liabilities 1,221,282 597,460
Net Assets 1,015,514 880,936
Equity Retained earnings 455,122 319,957 Reserves 560,392 560,979
Total Equity 1,015,514 880,936
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
6 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Gordon Asset Retained Total Oration Revaluation earnings Biennial Reserve Awards Reserve $ $ $ $
Balance at 1 July 2018 25,401 535,578 352,378 913,357
Comprehensive income (Deficit) for the year - - (32,421) (32,421) Transfer (from) / to reserve - - - -
Balance at 30 June 2019 25,401 535,578 319,957 880,936
Comprehensive income Surplus for the year - - 134,578 134,578 Transfer (from) / to reserve (587) - 587 -
Balance at 30 June 2020 24,814 535,578 455,122 1,015,514
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
7 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 2020 2019 $ $
Cash flows from operating activities Receipts from members, sponsors, and others 3,222,415 2,253,222 Payments to suppliers and employees (2,345,451) (2,342,394) GST Remitted (213,347) (92,795) Interest received 4,930 4,816
Net cash generated from / (used in) operating activities 668,547 (177,151)
Cash flows from investing activities Receipts for sale of plant and equipment - 267 Payments for property plant and equipment 8 (10,289) (3,962) Withdrawals from term deposits - 2,160 Payments for investments in term deposits (2,840) (2,118)
Net cash (used in) investing activities (13,129) (3,653)
Net movement in cash held 655,418 (180,804)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year 446,984 627,788
Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 4 1,102,402 446,984
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
8 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Preparation Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated (PHAA) applies Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements as set out in AASB 1053: Application of Tiers of Australian Accounting Standards. The financial statements are general purpose financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012. PHAA is a not-for-profit entity for financial reporting purposes under Australian Accounting Standards. Australian Accounting Standards set out accounting policies that the AASB has concluded would result in financial statements containing relevant and reliable information about transactions, events and conditions. Material accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are presented below and have been consistently applied unless stated otherwise. The financial statements, except for the cash flow information, have been prepared on an accrual basis and are based on historical costs, modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair value of selected non-current assets, financial assets and financial liabilities. The amounts presented in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest dollar. The financial statements were authorised for issues on 28th September by the Board of PHAA. Change in Accounting Policy Initial application of AASB 16: Leases PHAA did not hold a lease at any time during the reporting period. As such, the adoption of AASB 16: Leases at 1 July 2019 did not have an impact on the financial position of PHAA, nor have an impact on comparative information. Initial application of AASB 15 and AASB 1058 PHAA has adopted AASB 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers and AASB 1058: Income of Not-for-Profit Entities beginning 1 July 2019. The application of AASB 15 and AASB 1058 have not had a material effect on comparative information. Therefore, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be presented under AASB 118: Revenue and AASB 1004: Contributions. Accounting Policies a. Revenue Revenue recognition PHAA has applied AASB 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (AASB 15) and AASB 1058: Income of Not-for-Profit Entities (AASB 1058) using the cumulative effective method of initially applying AASB 15 and AASB 1058 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at 1 July 2019. Therefore, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be presented under AASB 118: Revenue and AASB 1004: Contributions. The details of accounting policies under AASB 118 and AASB 1004 are disclosed separately since they are different from those under AASB 15 and AASB 1058, and the impact of changes is disclosed in Note 1.
9 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) a. Revenue (continued) In the current year Operating Grants and Donations When PHAA receives operating grant revenue and donations, it assesses whether the contract is enforceable and has sufficiently specific performance obligations in accordance to AASB 15. When both these conditions are satisfied, PHAA: - identifies each performance obligation relating to the grant; - recognises a contract liability for its obligations under the agreement; and - recognises revenue as it satisfies its performance obligations. Where the contract is not enforceable or does not have sufficiently specific performance obligations, PHAA: - recognises the asset received in accordance with the recognition requirements of other applicable accounting standards (for example AASB 9. AASB 16, AASB 116 and AASB 138); - recognises related amounts (being contributions by owners, lease liability, financial instruments, provisions, revenue or contract liability arising from a contract with a customer); and - recognises income immediately in profit or loss as the difference between the initial carrying amount of the asset and the related amount. If a contract liability is recognised as a related amount above, PHAA recognises income in profit or loss when or as it satisfies its obligations under the contract. Membership subscriptions When PHAA receives membership subscriptions income it records the revenue in the subscription year the income relates to in accordance with AASB 15. The subscription year goes from 1 July to 30 June. If income is received before 30 June relating to the next subscription year the deferred income is recognised as a liability in the financial statements. Interest Income Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method. All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax. Donations are recognised as revenue when received. Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method, which for floating rate financial assets is the rate inherent in the instrument. Revenue from the rendering of a service is recognised upon the delivery of the service to the customer. In the comparative period Non-reciprocal grant revenue is recognised in profit or loss when PHAA obtains control of the grant and it is probable that the economic benefits gained from the grant will flow to PHAA and the amount of the grant can be measured reliably. If conditions are attached to the grant which must be satisfied before PHAA is eligible to receive the contribution, the recognition of the grant as revenue will be deferred until those conditions are satisfied. When grant revenue is received whereby PHAA incurs an obligation to deliver economic value directly back to the contributor, this is considered a reciprocal transaction and the grant revenue is recognised in the state of financial position as a liability until the service has been delivered to the contributor; otherwise the grant is recognised as income on receipt.
10 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) b. Property, Plant and Equipment Each class of plant and equipment is carried at cost or fair value as indicated, less, where applicable, accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Freehold property Freehold land and buildings are shown at fair value based on triennial valuations by external independent valuers, less subsequent depreciation for buildings. In period when the freehold land and buildings are not subject to an independent valuation, the directors conduct directors’ valuations to ensure the carrying amount for the land and buildings is not materially different to the fair value. Increases in the carrying amount arising on revaluation of land and building are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the revaluation surplus in equity. Revaluation decreases that offset previous increases of the same class of assets shall be recognised in other comprehensive income under the heading of revaluation surplus. All other decreases are recognised in profit or loss. Any accumulated depreciation at the date of the revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the net amount is restated to the revalued amount of the asset. Plant and equipment Plant and equipment are measured on the cost basis and are therefore carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. In the event the carrying amount of plant and equipment is greater than the estimated recoverable amount, the carrying amount is written down immediately to the estimated recoverable amount and impairment losses are recognised either in profit or loss or as a revaluation decrease if the impairment losses relate to a revalued asset. A formal assessment of recoverable amount is made when impairment indicators are present (refer to Note 1(d) for details of impairment). Depreciation The depreciable amount of all fixed assets, including buildings and capitalised lease assets but excluding freehold land, is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset’s useful life to PHAA commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. The depreciation rates used for each class of depreciable assets are:
Class of Fixed Asset Depreciation Rate
Buildings at fair value 3.75%
Plant and equipment 15% - 50%
The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These gains or losses are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. When revalued assets are sold, amounts included in the revaluation surplus relating to that asset are transferred to retained earnings. c. Financial Instruments Initial recognition and measurement Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when PHAA becomes a party to the contractual provisions to the instrument. For financial assets, this is the date that PHAA commits itself to either the purchase or sale of the asset (i.e. trade date accounting is adopted).
11 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) c. Financial Instruments (continued) Financial instruments (except for trade receivables) are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs, except where the instrument is classified “at fair value through profit or loss”, in which case transaction costs are expensed to profit or loss immediately. Where available, quoted prices in an active market are used to determine fair value. In other circumstances, valuation techniques are adopted. Trade receivables are initially measured at the transaction price if the trade receivables do not contain significant financing component or if the practical expedient was applied as specified in AASB 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Classification and subsequent measurement Financial liabilities Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at: - amortised cost; or - fair value through profit or loss. A financial liability is measured at fair value through profit or loss if the financial liability is: - a contingent consideration of an acquirer in a business combination to which AASB 3: Business Combinations applies; - held for trading; or - initially designated as at fair value through profit or loss. All other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest expense over in profit or loss over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the internal rate of return of the financial asset or liability. That is, it is the rate that exactly discounts the estimated future cash flows through the expected life of the instrument to the net carrying amount at initial recognition. A financial liability cannot be reclassified. Financial assets Financial assets are subsequently measured at amortised cost; fair value through other comprehensive income; or fair value through profit or loss. The initial designation of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss is a one-time option. Derecognition Derecognition refers to the removal of a previously recognised financial asset or financial liability fromthe statement date in accordance with PHAA’s accounting policy. Derecognition of financial liabilities A liability is derecognised when it is extinguished (i.e. when the obligation in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires). Derecognition of financial assets A financial asset is derecognised when the holder's contractual rights to its cash flows expires, or the asset is transferred in such a way that all the risks and rewards of ownership are substantially transferred. PHAA recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets. Loss allowance is not recognised for: - financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss; or - equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.
12 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) c. Financial Instruments (continued) Expected credit losses are the probability-weighted estimate of credit losses over the expected life of a financial instrument. A credit loss is the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due and all cash flows expected to be received, all discounted at the original effective interest rate of the financial instrument. d. Impairment of assets At the end of each reporting period, PHAA reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have been impaired. If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, being the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use, is compared to the asset’s carrying amount. Any excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its recoverable amount is recognised in profit or loss. Where the assets are not held primarily for their ability to generate net cash inflows – that is, they are specialised assets held for continuing use of their service capacity – the recoverable amounts are expected to be materially the same as fair value. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, PHAA estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where an impairment loss on a revalued individual asset is identified, this is recognised against the revaluation surplus in respect of the same class of asset to the extent that the impairment loss does not exceed the amount in the revaluation surplus for that class of asset. e. Employee Benefits Short-term employee benefits Provision is made for PHAA’s obligation for short-term employee benefits. Short-term employee benefits are benefits (other than termination benefits) that are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related service, including wages, salaries, annual leave and sick leave. Short-term employee benefits are measured at the (undiscounted) amounts expected to be paid when the obligation is settled. PHAA’s obligations for short-term employee benefits such as wages, salaries and sick leave are recognised as part of current trade and other payables in the statement of financial position. Other long-term employee benefits PHAA classifies employees' long service leave and annual leave entitlements as other long-term employee benefits as they are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related service. Provision is made for the PHAA’s obligation for other long-term employee benefits, which are measured at the present value of the expected future payments to be made to employees. Expected future payments incorporate anticipated future wage and salary levels, durations of service and employee departures, and are discounted at rates determined by reference to market yields at the end of the reporting period on high quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates that approximate the terms of the obligations. Any remeasurements for changes in assumptions of obligations for other long-term employee benefits are recognised in profit or loss in the periods in which the changes occur. PHAA’s obligations for long-term employee benefits are presented as non-current liabilities in its statement of financial position, except where PHAA does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period, in which case the obligations are presented as current liabilities. f. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short- term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
13 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) g. Trade and Other Debtors Trade and other debtors include amounts due from members. Receivables expected to be collected within 12 months of the end of the reporting period are classified as current assets. All other receivables are classified as non-current assets. Accounts receivable are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment. Refer to Note 1(d) for further discussion on the determination of impairment losses. h. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO is included with other receivables or payables in the statement of financial position. Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities, which are recoverable from or payable to the ATO, are presented as operating cash flows included in receipts from customers or payments to suppliers. i. Income Tax No provision for income tax has been raised as PHAA is exempt from income tax under Div 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. j. Intangible Assets Software Software is initially recognised at cost. Where software is acquired at no cost, or for a nominal cost, the cost is its fair value, as at the date of acquisition. It has a finite life and is carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Software has an estimated useful life of between one and three years. It is assessed annually for impairment. k. Provisions Provisions are recognised when PHAA has a legal or constructive obligation, as a result of past events, for which it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will result and that outflow can be reliably measured. Provisions recognised represent the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation at the end of the reporting period. l. Comparative Figures When required by Accounting Standards, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation for the current financial year. m. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements The Board evaluate estimates and judgements incorporated into the financial statements based on historical knowledge and best available current information. Estimates assume a reasonable expectation of future events and are based on current trends and economic data, obtained both externally and within PHAA. Key estimates (i) Valuation of freehold land and buildings The PHAA office was independently valued at 30 June 2018 by CBRE Valuations Pty Ltd. The valuation was based on the fair value. The critical assumptions adopted in determining the valuation included the location of the land and buildings and recent sales data for similar properties. The valuation resulted in a revaluation increment of $79,996 being recognised for the year ended 30 June 2018.
14 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) m. Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements (continued) Key estimates (continued) At 30 June 2020, the directors have performed a directors’ valuation on he freehold land and buildings. The directors have reviewed the key assumptions adopted by the valuers in 2018 and do not believe there has been a significant change in the assumptions at 30 June 2020. The directors therefore believe the carrying amount of the land correctly reflects the fair value at 30 June 2020. (ii) Useful lives of property, plant and equipment As described in Note 1(b), PHAA reviews the estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment at the end of each annual reporting period. Key judgements (iii) Performance obligations under AASB 15 To identify a performance obligation under AASB 15, the promise must be sufficiently specific to be able to determine when the obligation is satisfied. PHAA exercises judgement to determine whether the promise is sufficiently specific by taking into account any conditions specified in the arrangement, explicit or implicit, regarding the promised goods or services. In making this assessment, PHAA includes the nature/type, cost/value, quantity and the period of transfer related to the goods or services promised. (iv) Employee benefits For the purpose of measurement, AASB 119: Employee Benefits defines obligations for short- term employee benefits as obligations expected to be settled wholly before 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related service. As PHAA expects that most employees will not use all of their annual leave entitlements in the same year in which they are earned or during the 12-month period that follows, the Board believe that obligations for annual leave entitlements satisfy the definition of other long-term employee benefits are measured at the present value of the expected future payments. (v) COVID-19 impacts The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the way of life in Australia. In accordance with national guidelines, PHAA has implemented remote working arrangements in response to government requirements and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all employees and visitors. It is not possible to reliably estimate the duration and severity of the impact of COVID-19, or the impact on the financial position and results of PHAA for future periods. However, based on analysis of PHAA’s financial performance and position, the Board has determined that COVID-19 has not had a material impact on PHAA’s operations and does not anticipate any significant impact in the foreseeable future. n. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities PHAA measures some of its assets and liabilities at fair value on either a recurring or non- recurring basis, depending on the requirements of the applicable Accounting Standard. “Fair value” is the price PHAA will receive to sell an asset or would have to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly (i.e. unforced) transaction between independent, knowledgeable and willing market participants at the measurement date. As fair value is a market-based measure, the closest observable market pricing information is used to determine fair value. Adjustments to market values may be made having regard to the characteristics of the specific asset or liability. The fair values of assets and liabilities that are not traded in an active market are determined using one or more valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise, to the extent possible, the use of observable market data. To the extent possible, market information is extracted from the principal market for the asset or liability. In the absence of such a market, market information is extracted from the most advantageous market available to the entity at the end of the reporting period.
15 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 1: Statement of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) n. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (continued) For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement also takes into account a market participant’s ability to use the asset in its highest and best use or to sell it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.
Note 2: Revenue
Note 2020 2019 $ $ Operating activities: NATIONAL OFFICE Membership subscriptions 330,049 299,613 Conferences 1,304,938 1,084,866 Intouch advertising 300 600 Journals 73,207 99,347 Funding from Government 375,000 375,000 Other 207,552 198,750
BRANCHES Sponsorship - 7,047 Conferences 2,500 6,549 Functions 3,302 7,721
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS Membership 27,864 16,356 Workshops 927 2,309 Other income - 2,121 Total operating revenue 2,325,639 2,100,279
Non-operating activities: NATIONAL OFFICE Australian Government Stimulus 149,000 - Interest 4,996 4,816 Total non-operating activities 153,996 4,816
Total revenue 2,479,635 2,105,095
16 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 3: Surplus / (Deficit) from ordinary activities
Note 2020 2019 $ $ Expenses
Net surplus / (deficit) has been determined after: DEPRECIATION Buildings 18,183 18,892 Plant and equipment 6,965 3,894 Intangibles 833 1,666 25,981 24,452
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Salaries and wages 912,570 933,783 Superannuation 94,551 84,573 1,007,121 1,018,356
Note 4: Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash on hand and at bank 1,102,402 446,984 Cash and cash equivalents 14 1,102,402 446,984
Note 5: Trade and Other Receivables
CURRENT Trade debtors 95,365 37,382 Provision for impairment (757) (2,624) Other debtors 30,501 4,932 125,109 39,690
(a) Financial assets classified as loans and receivables
Trade receivables 14 125,109 39,690
17 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 6: Financial Assets
2020 2019 Note $ $ CURRENT Term deposits 156,848 154,008 4,14 156,848 154,008
Note 7: Other Current Assets
CURRENT Prepayments – conference 154,816 126,248 Prepayments – other 8,917 40,070 Australian Government Stimulus – JobKeeper 33,000 - 196,733 166,318
Note 8: Property, Plant and Equipment
Land at fair value 197,200 197,200
Buildings at fair value 482,800 482,800 Less accumulated depreciation (37,074) (18,891) 445,726 463,909
Plant and equipment at cost 147,547 137,258 Less accumulated depreciation (135,603) (128,638) 11,944 8,620
Total property, plant and equipment 654,870 669,729
Movements in Carrying Amounts Movements in carrying amounts for each class of plant and equipment between the beginning and the end of the current financial year: Land Buildings Plant and Total equipment $ $ $ $ Balance at 1 July 2019 197,200 463,909 8,620 669,729 Additions - - 10,289 10,289 Disposals - - - - Depreciation write back on disposals - - - - Depreciation expense - (18,183) (6,965) (25,148) Carrying amount at 30 June 2020 197,200 445,726 11,944 654,870
18 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 9: Intangibles
2020 2019 Note $ $
Intangible Assets at cost: 30,350 30,350 Less accumulated depreciation (29,516) (28,683) 834 1,667
Movements in Carrying Amounts Movements in carrying amounts for intangibles between the beginning and the end of the current financial year:
Intangibles Total
$ $ Balance at 1 July 2019 1,667 1,667 Amortisation expense (833) (833) Carrying amount at 30 June 2020 834 834
Note 10: Trade and Other Payables
2020 2019 $ $
Trade Creditors 177,882 63,856 Accrued Expenses 49,470 42,463
Other Creditors 24,183 28,927
GST payable 2,095 33,323 253,630 168,569
(a) Financial liabilities at amortised cost classified as Trade and Other Payables
Financial liabilities as trade and other payables 14 251,535 135,246
19 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 11: Provisions
2020 2019 Note $ $ CURRENT Provision for annual leave 86,978 74,254 Provision for long service leave 17,190 14,879 104,168 89,133
NON-CURRENT Provision for long service leave 15,622 9,204 15,622 9,204
Total provisions 119,790 98,337
Provisions for employee benefits represents amounts accrued for annual leave and long service leave.
The current portion for this provision includes the total amount accrued for annual leave entitlements and the amounts accrued for long service leave entitlements that have vested due to employees having completed the required period of service. The Association does not expect the full amount of annual leave or long service leave balances classified as current liabilities to be settled within the next 12 months. However, these amounts must be classified as current liabilities since the Association does not have a conditional right to defer the settlement of these amounts in the event employees wish to use their entitlement.
The non-current portion for this provision includes amounts accrued for long service leave entitlements that have not yet vested in relation to those employees who have not yet completed the required period of service.
In calculating the present value of future cash flows in respect of long service leave, the probability of long service leave being taken is based upon historical data. The measurement and recognition criteria for employee benefits have been discussed in Note 1.
Note 12: Other Current Liabilities
2020 2019 $ $ CURRENT Funding income in advance 54,317 3,417 Conference income in advance 603,513 191,920 Membership fees in advance 190,032 135,217 847,862 330,554
20 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 13: Key Management Personnel Any person(s) having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Association, directly or indirectly, including any director (whether executive or otherwise) of that Association is considered key management personnel. The totals of remuneration paid to key management personnel (KMP) of PHAA during the year are as follows:
2020 2019 Note $ $
Key management personnel compensation 266,752 245,945
Note 14: Financial Risk Management PHAA’s financial instruments consist mainly of deposits with banks, short term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Financial Assets
Financial assets held at amortised cost: Cash and cash equivalents 4 1,102,402 446,984 Trade and other receivables 5(a) 125,109 39,690 Financial assets 6 156,848 154,008 1,384,359 640,682 Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities held at amortised cost: Trade and other payables 10(a) 251,535 135,246 251,535 135,246
Refer to Note 15 for detail disclosures regarding the fair value measurement of PHAA’s financial assets.
21 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
Note 15: Fair Value Measurements PHAA has the following assets, as set out in the table below, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis after initial recognition. PHAA does not subsequently measure any liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, or any assets or liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
2020 2019 $ $ Recurring fair value measurements:
Land 197,200 197,200 Buildings 482,800 482,800 680,000 680,000
For land and buildings, the fair values are based on an independent valuation.
Note 16: Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets As at balance date the Board has no known contingent liabilities or contingent assets.
Note 17: Subsequent Events The Board is not aware of any significant events since the end of the reporting period.
Note 18: Related Party Transactions Other related parties include close family members of key management personnel and entities that are controlled or jointly controlled by those key management personnel individually or collectively with their close family members. Transactions between related parties are on normal commercial terms and conditions no more favourable with those available to other parties unless otherwise stated. During the year, PHAA had the following related party transactions: - PHAA continued the ongoing contract with the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australia (CAPHIA) for the provision of in-house management facilities (including wages). PHAA is reimbursed for these costs with additional on-costs of 25%. - A Director during this period, Associate Professor Richard Franklin was contracted as a conference convener for the 14th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion 2022 (extended from 2020). The contract, ending November 2022 totalled $63,636. - The Editor-in-Chief of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, John Lowe, holds a position on the PHAA Board as part of his employment contract with PHAA.
Note 19: Association Details The registered office and principal place of business of PHAA is: Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated 20 Napier Close Deakin ACT 2600
22 PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED ABN 41 062 894 473
STATEMENT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
In the opinion of the Board, the financial statements as set out on pages 5 to 22:
1. Give a true and fair view of the financial position of Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated during and at the end of the financial year of the association ending on 30 June 2020.
2. At the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds go believe that Public Health Association of Australia Incorporated will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
This statement is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board and is signed for and on behalf of the Board by:
Board Member
Board Member
Dated this 28 day of September 2020
23 p (+61 2) 6239 5011 e [email protected] Level 3, 44 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
PO Box 4390 Kingston ACT 2604
ABN 14 942 509 138 bellchambersbarrett.com.au
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
Report on the Audit of the Financial Report Opinion We have audited the accompanying financial report of Public Health Association Australia Incorporated (the Association), which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2020, the statement of profit or loss, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the Boards’ declaration. In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of PHAA has been prepared in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act), including: (i) giving a true and fair view of the Association’s financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and (ii) complying with Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013. Basis for Opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the registered entity in accordance with the ACNC Act and ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Information Other than the Financial Report and Auditor’s Report Thereon The Board are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report for the year ended 30 June 2020 but does not include the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Emphasis of matter – COVID-19 We draw attention to Note 1(m)(v) of the financial report which notes the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and how this has been considered by the directors in the preparation of the financial report. The impact COVID-19 is an unprecedented event, which continues to cause a high level of uncertainty and volatility. As set out in the financial statements, no adjustments have been made to financial statements as at 30 June 2020 for the impacts of COVID-19. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
Responsibilities of the Board for the Financial Report The Board of the registered entity are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 and for such internal control as the Board determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial report, the Board is responsible for assessing the ability of the registered entity to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board either intends to liquidate the registered entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. The Board is responsible for overseeing the registered entity’s financial reporting process. Auditor’s Responsibility for the Audit of the Financial Report Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report. As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the registered entity’s internal control. Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Board. Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the registered entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the registered entity to cease to continue as a going concern. Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
We communicate with the Board regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
James Barrett, CA Canberra, ACT Registered Company Auditor Dated this day of September 2020 BellchambersBarrett
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