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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Redefining diversity in clinical trials
Ensuring inclusion, diversity, equity and patient input in the development of novel drugs and medical devices has become well accepted in health care. However appropriate implementation of these elements has been a challenge for many. Only by implementing these conscious inputs can patient outcomes be improved and health disparities in marginalised groups be addressed.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Gillian Mason, Consumer and Community Involvement Lead at Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle, NSW on this topic discussed at the recent ARCS Conference in Sydney.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical trials and clinical care
Australian Health Journal today continues a major episode release on Technology Aided Healthcare Delivery, with part 2 on Artificial Intelligence in trials and clinical care. Interviews were captured at AI, Machine Learning & Robotics in Health conference in October organised by Informa Australia.
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ICTD: Clinical trials in regional, rural and remote Australia
To mark International Clinical Trials Day 2026, Australian Health Journal commences a 4 part special series leaving up to 20th May. Through conversations with leading researchers, clinicians and trial organisations, the series highlights achievements in the year that was for clinical trials. The first segment is an example of how in-person clinical trial access has improved for regional, rural and remote communities.
