Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee
▸26 members spoke26 support
Stated the LNP supports the bill because it supports preventive health, while raising questions about how funding would be distributed and staffing levels.
“The LNP supports this bill because the LNP supports preventive health.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Spoke in support as a former committee chair who had recommended establishing a health promotion commission.
“It is a pleasure to rise in this House to support the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as committee deputy chair, noting widespread support from health organisations and thanking fellow committee members.
“The committee had only one recommendation—that is, that the bill be passed.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill emphasising the importance of being proactive on preventive health.
“This bill is about being proactive.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising questions about implementation details and governance, hoping the minister would address them.
“The LNP supports this bill, but I have raised a number of questions.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as delivering on the government's election commitment for a health promotion agency.
“I stand to speak in support of the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Noted the committee recommended the bill be passed and highlighted the importance of preventive health programs.
“I note the committee recommended that the bill be passed.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as putting the wellness of Queenslanders at the forefront of the health system.
“This bill puts the wellness of Queenslanders at the forefront of our health system.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Voiced full support for the bill and commended the committee's work.
“I rise to voice my support for the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill citing WHO research on social determinants of health.
“I commend this bill to the House.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill noting the long journey from the original committee recommendation to establishment.
“The committee had only one recommendation—for it to be established.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Enthusiastically supported the bill as a great step forward for health in Queensland.
“We support this bill. It is a great step forward for health in this state.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Stated the LNP will not oppose the bill, supporting preventive health from both a public health and economic perspective.
“The LNP will not be opposing the bill.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as a giant step forward in better health outcomes for Queensland.
“I rise to support the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Stated the LNP supports preventive health measures and will be supporting the bill.
“The LNP supports preventive health measures and we will be supporting the bill.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as another example of the government investing in preventive health.
“This is a real step change for a better approach to healthier, happier Queenslanders through prevention rather than a cure.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Did not oppose the bill, noting widespread support in the public health community while raising concerns about bureaucracy and hospital funding.
“I do not oppose the bill.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill emphasising that building more hospitals alone will not improve population health without supporting lifestyle and behavioural change.
“I rise to speak in support of the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Spoke in favour highlighting WHO research on breastfeeding and preventive health.
“I rise to speak in favour of the Health and Wellbeing Bill 2019.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Very supportive of the bill, putting his name on the record as a supporter while criticising the government for delays in implementation.
“The LNP and I are very supportive of the bill.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported preventive health while emphasising the need for rural and regional Queensland to be properly served.
“Preventive health is very important.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill as a proud representative of a government investing in preventive health.
“I rise today in support of the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill 2019.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the notion of Health and Wellbeing Queensland while raising questions about its effectiveness.
“I do support the notion of Health and Wellbeing Queensland.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill hoping it delivers real outcomes and is not just another bureaucracy.
“I support the bill and what it is doing.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Acknowledged consensus in the chamber for preventive health and supported the bill while noting significant work remains ahead.
“There is no doubt that there is consensus around the chamber.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Supported the bill believing in what it tries to achieve overall while expressing concerns about ensuring it serves regional Queensland.
“I can support this bill because I believe in what it is trying to achieve overall.”— 2019-05-02View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill creates Health and Wellbeing Queensland, a new government agency dedicated to preventing chronic disease and improving the health of Queenslanders. The agency focuses on reducing risk factors like obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity, with particular attention to closing the health gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, remote communities and disadvantaged areas.
Who it affects
All Queenslanders benefit from coordinated health promotion efforts, but the agency particularly targets people at higher risk of chronic disease, including those in disadvantaged communities, remote areas, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Key changes
- Creates Health and Wellbeing Queensland as an independent statutory body with an initial $33 million annual budget
- Establishes a 10-member board with mandatory Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representation
- Empowers the agency to partner with schools, workplaces, local governments and community organisations for health promotion
- Allows the agency to give grants for prevention activities and commission health research
- Sets a government target to increase the proportion of Queenslanders with a healthy body weight by 10% by 2026
- Enables hospital foundations to support the new agency through fundraising