18 December 2020
The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) welcomes the announcement today by the Prime Minister of Australia of changes to the Ministry to take effect from 2021.
Dr Kym Jenkins, Chair, CPMC said the importance of maintaining stability in key portfolios was welcomed to ensure a continued focus on managing Australia’s economic and societal recovery from the impact of COVID-19.
In welcoming the focus on stability Dr Jenkins highlighted the merit in reviewing portfolios and the decisions to add to the Ministry team were timely.
Dr Jenkins particularly noted the inclusion of the Aged Care portfolio into Cabinet and said” this is a positive decision which recognises the importance of policy development in health and aged care through the Office of the Health Minister.”
CPMC congratulates The Hon Greg Hunt for the expansion to his portfolio as Minister for Health and Aged Care.
Similarly, the decision to appoint an Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for mental health and suicide prevention is welcomed by CPMC. Dr Jenkins said the pandemic has had a wide-ranging impact on societies globally but particularly for those who have experienced the negative side-effects from isolation. She said: “building upon the Better Access program by elevating mental health and suicide prevention to a national priority was a recommendation CPMC made following the Federal Budget 2020 and the decision to create a Cabinet role is therefore a positive one.”
CPMC welcomes each new Minister in the portfolios of trade, tourism, education, employment and youth services, communication and in the digital economy; all areas of particular focus as Australia recovers from the pandemic. CPMC congratulates Ministers in retained portfolios, and looks forward to engaging with all members of the Ministry in 2021.
END
Media Contacts: Dr Kym Jenkins, Chair CPMC via Ms Angela Magarry 0437227422