Page 2312 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 1 November 1989
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The outcome of these and future activities in the ACT will hopefully be demonstrable results in the five priority areas, plus structural changes in the system, which will work towards the reduction of inequalities in health.
Finally, I would like to add another view on health promotion which often goes unstated. This concerns an essential characteristic of humane health and social policies. This is that, aside from imperatives to do with efficiency and productivity, societies and governments should promote and develop the ability of citizens to live healthy and long lives of quality. The ethical and philosophical foundations of the four broad aims of the World Health Organisation health for all strategy - equity in health, adding life to years, adding health to life, and adding years to life - all reflect a belief in maximising human potential. This means that governments have a responsibility to maximise the opportunities individuals and communities have to live satisfying disease-free and disability-free lives for as long as possible. This Government thoroughly endorses such an approach.
We believe in demonstrating our commitment to health promotion through real and practical support. My department already has a number of projects and health promotion services on offer to the ACT community through health advancement services and our regional community health centres. I should mention here, Mr Speaker, the Government's recent initiative of establishing the health promotion foundation which will be funded from an increase in tobacco tax in the ACT.
I am especially pleased and proud to be able to announce our participation in the exciting program I have announced. I feel sure that the national better health program will bring lasting benefits to the ACT community. There will be direct and immediate benefits to individuals and groups but, more importantly, there will be longer-term structural changes which will widen our health services to focus more on health promotion and illness prevention. These changes will also increase access of all social groups to a variety of health services. In this way we can look to a healthier environment and healthier living habits.
Through such changes, the cry of "health for all" by the year 2000 becomes a real goal, with a real chance of success. We in the ACT are only too pleased to play our part in this forward-looking program. Mr Speaker, I present the following paper:
National Better Health Program - Ministerial statement, 1 November 1989
and move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
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