Animal health considered part of Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry health policy paper

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) recently released a policy position paper on securing the future of health in Australia. As a member of ACCI the AVA welcomed the opportunity to advocate for animal health to be included in the paper.

We are very pleased the ACCI has included the importance of animal health and the concept of the ‘One Health’ paradigm.

The paper outlines four broad areas of action that are needed to maintain the growth trajectory of the health sector:

• Embedding a One Health model
• Addressing skills needs for our future workforce
• Facilitating the digital revolution in health
• Investment in fit for purpose regulatory environments.

In addition to these areas, to achieve a strong, resilient, and sustainable health system that is better able to cope with disasters, the paper states governments and industry must work together to ensure resources are dedicated to all parts of the ecosystem, including enabling the MTP (medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical) sector.

The AVA welcomes the recognition of the importance of One Health and the acknowledgement that better preparedness of future health threats will come with a One Health approach. Recommendations that specifically related to animal health are listed below.

• Improve formal linkages between human, animal and environmental health sectors using a One Health approach. Build on existing knowledge, expertise and industry and government processes. Support the development of national animal health infrastructure to facilitate data collection, information sharing and effective engagement and collaboration across a diverse range of disciplines and industries.
• Regulatory flexibility needs to keep pace with digital transformation. This applies to both the human and animal health regulatory systems.
• Consult with the animal health industry on the potential for a digital health Capability Action Plan for this sub-sector with a particular emphasis on workforce planning and infrastructure development. This may also be a consideration for a function of a new CDC.
• If health data is to be considered in a review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act and data sharing arrangements, careful attention should be given to a potential ‘carve out’ for animal health data. Consultation should be undertaken specifically with animal health industry representatives on appropriate data interoperability concerns and the best controls to put in place for this subsector.

For more information see the full policy paper.