ASID responds to the introduction of the CDC bill Into Parliament
The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) welcomes the introduction of Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 as a pivotal step to the establishment of a permanent, statutory Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
“ASID endorses this crucial step towards strengthening Australia’s capacity for public health protection and communicable disease response. The legislation creates a strong independent agency with an expert advisory board to ensure sound evidence-based decision making” said ASIDs President Professor Joseph Doyle.
ASID emphasised that public confidence in independent health advice is essential, particularly when managing infectious diseases outbreaks. “The CDC’s broad mandate across health protection, coupled with robust safeguards to protect health information, represents a major step forward for national preparedness.”
ASID supports ongoing cooperation between federal and state governments in preventing, detecting, and treating communicable diseases across our diverse communities. “Full establishment of the Australian CDC will position Australia as a leading hub for public health expertise in the Pacific region.”
“Enduring partnerships across jurisdictions will ensure the CDC can deliver timely and comprehensive surveillance, policy advice, guidelines and program evaluation. It will allow us to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging health threats,” said Professor Doyle.
“ASID encourages governments to resource the new CDC with sustained and sufficient resources to fulfil its mandate and secure Australia’s readiness for future public health challenges. We stand ready to collaborate with the Australian Government and the Australian CDC to ensure this institution achieves its potential as a world-class public health authority,” said Dr Irene Kourtis, ASID CEO.
See a copy of the Press Release here.