The Honourable Greg Hunt served in the Australian Government as Minster for Health and Aged Care from 2017, previously as Industry, Innovation and Science Minister and before that the Environment Minister.
Elected as the Member for Flinders in 2001, Greg announced his retirement from politics late 2021 and in 2022, ahead of the Federal Election, having completed 20 years as a public servant.
Australian Health Journal recently caught up with Greg in a relaxed interview at his home in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria to hear how a 9 month sabbatical has allowed him to focus on family, fitness and future. This has even included some “brutal spin cycle classes!”.
In his Ministerial role, Greg reflects on the critical supply of masks, gloves, gowns, tests, vaccines and ventilators during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greg talks about Australia’s sovereign capability in a post-COVID-19 world which has played a part on delivering 98% vaccine uptake across Australians, and with some of the lowest rates of death from COVID. He references the structural platform in place with the Medical Research Future Fund, R&D Tax Concession and the Patent Box.
Looking ahead, precision health as a service, stem cells and genomics are key trends that will define the future workforce through targeted treatments, according to Greg. He states with optimism that innovation, research and investment, can make the country a global leader.
He’s also is optimistic the country is well placed with the quality of the workforce, the training in place and the balance between public and private health.
In conclusion Greg, talks to you, the health industry on the support he received both in office and after, and thanks the industry for the treatment delivered to every Australian patient.
Now Greg is moving his attention to 3 pillars – Academic, Philanthropic and Commercial.
Today Greg is the foundation Chair of the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health’s Advisory Council, at Monash University in Melbourne. The Turner Institute is a world leader in research dedicated to preventative brain and mental health research, treatment and education, a focus for Greg.
Australian Health Journal wishes Greg the best in his future endeavours.
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World-first clinical trial improves patient outcomes for kidney transplants
A world-first clinical trial conducted at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and at hospitals across Australia and New Zealand has identified the best fluid treatment to reduce the risk of patients requiring dialysis after a kidney transplant.
Australian Health Journal spoke with the lead-author of the study, RAH Nephrologist and University of Adelaide researcher, Dr Michael Collins.
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Early detection & surveillance guides for pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer remains one of Australia’s deadliest cancers, with five-year survival rates hovering at just 14%, with little improvement over several decades. Often called the ‘silent killer’, the disease frequently presents with minimal or vague symptoms, resulting in late diagnoses and poor outcomes. Pancare Foundation is leading the rollout of new clinical resources and surveillance guides to support healthcare professionals in identifying at-risk patients and promoting early detection.
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Scott Willis, talks Physiotherapy
Health Executive Leadership Insights (HELI)
Scott Willis, the National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association talks Physiotherapy
