Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fielding for his interest in this area. The Preventative Health Taskforce submitted its final report to Minister Roxon, the Minister for Health and Ageing. I will not be able to speculate on what may or may not be within the report or what it recommends. I can say that it will provide recommendations about how best to prevent illness and stay well, focusing on three priority areas. Those are tobacco, obesity and alcohol. That is why, as I understand it, Senator Fielding has an interest in this area. Senator Fielding has raised the issues around tobacco and obesity and, of course, he has a long interest in alcohol—or I should say the issues surrounding the health effects of alcohol consumption.

I can also say that preventative health is vital in keeping people well, productive and out of hospital. The taskforce’s recommendations will be built on the historic $872 million we have invested in preventative health via the COAG process. The minister is currently working through its implementation details. In dealing with those, the minister will have to work through the implementation details with the states and territories to be in a position to provide the details in due course. I am not in a position to advise the Senate when that announcement will be. It is a matter that the minister will announce in due course. Those matters are within the government prerogative, and I am sure that Senator Fielding understands that the minister will be able to provide further information, given his question. I will seek additional information for him if I can.