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Hello
At Croakey, we are not in the business of suggesting how our readers should vote at this federal election.
However, we ARE in the business of presenting evidence-informed reporting and analysis, and ensuring a strong focus on under-served communities and health issues.
In this, our first Election Special bulletin, we provide an overview of key election scorecards relevant for health and health equity. Generally speaking, there are more red and orange lights than green ticks of approval.
The election of a Liberal National Party Government would result in many harmful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to proposed policies that would contribute to negative stereotyping, racism and overincarceration, says the ANTAR scorecard.
We acknowledge those who’ve put much time and effort into developing these scorecards, and note this call to action from medical groups: “Voting for climate action is voting for healthier communities and a safer, more equitable future for everyone.”
With so much of the election campaign focused on the major parties’ health policies, we’ve taken a deep dive into the health priorities of community independents (with a bonus soundtrack from author Richard Flanagan).
Don’t miss Charles Maskell-Knight’s special election edition of The Zap, which meticulously records health announcements from the campaign, highlighting a reluctance from the major parties “to undertake the hard slog” of genuine healthcare reform.
His analysis of the history behind 'Mediscare' is instructive, especially for those who may not have such a long memory. Professor Stephen Duckett also provides some context on 'Mediscare'.
On the social determinants of health, the election outcome could have an important bearing upon efforts to address gender pay gaps, which are especially important for the health, disability services and aged care workforces.
ASPIRE, the Australian Social Prescribing Institute for Research and Education, makes a strong argument for policymakers, funders, clinicians and community leaders to support and champion social prescribing.
This Election Special also brings to your attention several important stories previously published at Croakey:
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VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO: “This election is an opportunity for all Australians to take a stand against division and to work together towards a future where everyone is treated with dignity, equity and respect.”
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Dr Louis Peachey: “Child poverty shames and diminishes us all.”
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Dr Lesley Russell: “The history of improvements in life expectancy and health outcomes highlights the importance of addressing community health and wellbeing through the social and economic determinants of health.”
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Alison Verhoeven: “Hidden amongst the generally tame and uninspiring election rhetoric has been one policy which gives some hope for genuine reform and which unfortunately hasn’t received the airtime it deserves.”
As you may remember, we published a long list of questions for the Federal Opposition on health policy – but only received general talking points in response.
Whatever the election’s outcome, the next Government has much to do. Likewise, our next Parliament faces global turmoil with wide-ranging implications for our health, as Alison Barrett reported in this recommended LongRead.
Big thanks to ASPIRE for supporting this Election Special edition of Croakey News through a sponsored content article.
We look forward to bringing you another Election Special after the dust has settled. Please reach out if interested in supporting it.
This week, Croakey is reaching out for your support so we can continue our independent journalism for health. Independent media and quality health journalism is crucial for informed decision-making, for tackling the tide of misinformation and disinformation, and for promoting health. Our financial situation is precarious.
Here’s how to help.
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By Melissa Sweet |
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Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: In an election marked by Trumpian-style misinformation and disinformation and unhelpful soundbites, it’s easy to lose sight of the key policy issues at stake ... |
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By Alison Barrett and Melissa Sweet |
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Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: Much of the election debate and media coverage of health has focused on commitments by Labor and the Liberal National Party Coalition ... |
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By Charles Maskell-Knight |
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Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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Health announcements during the federal election campaign have been meticulously recorded by Charles Maskell-Knight in several editions of his column, The Zap, over the last few months ... |
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By JR Baker |
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Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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Social prescribing is a scalable, cost-effective, evidence-informed way to build health, restore meaning and future-proof the care system, according to Associate Professor JR Baker, Chair of ASPIRE, the Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education ... |
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By Fiona Macdonald |
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Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: Workplace inequities are an important social determinant of health, and efforts to address gender pay gaps are especially important for the health, disability services and aged care workforces ... |
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By Melissa Sweet |
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Friday, March 28, 2025 |
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After the election was called for 3 May, health and medical organisations were quick out of the starting gates with various calls to action*.... |
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By Lesley Russell |
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Friday, February 14, 2025 |
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As we head to a federal election, it is crucial to push for a political and policy focus on the long-neglected area of prevention, says Associate Professor Lesley Russell .... |
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By Charles Maskell-Knight |
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Thursday, January 23, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: As Australia faces the prospect of a Dutton Government, it is important for the health sector and the media to hold the Coalition to account on its health policies, as well as the wider policies affecting health .... |
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By Alison Barrett |
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Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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A universal childcare system and culturally safe, place-based health education and training programs are some of the initiatives that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations are urging the next Federal Government .... |
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By Stephen Duckett |
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Friday, February 28, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: To understand why the Coalition was so quick to match Labor’s Medicare announcement this week, a recap of some key moments in Medicare history is instructive ... |
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By Alison Verhoeven |
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Thursday, April 24, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: During the federal election campaign, health policy analyst Alison Verhoeven has been sifting the wheat from the chaff in search of meaningful election commitments that offer significant benefits for our health ... |
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By Melissa Sweet |
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Thursday, March 6, 2025 |
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What would the election of a Dutton Coalition Government mean for existing health policies and programs – many of which have taken years to develop – and for wider policies affecting health, and particularly for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? ... |
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By Jason Staines |
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Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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Introduction by Croakey: While climate change was at least raised during the ABC Leaders Debate this week, the harmful impacts of a warming climate upon our health have not figured prominently during the election campaign ... |
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By Alison Barrett |
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Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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Introduction: After United States President Donald Trump’s so-called Liberation Day unleashed chaos and uncertainty upon the world, the nature and extent of his tariffs have been shifting rapidly. Amidst all the uncertainty, however, a few things are clear ... |
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