John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Bennelong is often called the innovation capital of Australia—that's because it is! A large part of what makes us great is our booming health industry. But, as with all things, nothing is great without incredible people behind the scenes. I'm very pleased to see that some of these people have been recognised in this year's Queen's birthday honours.

Mark Harris is one such health innovator, working in a field that is very close to my heart. For the past 13 years he has served as Executive Director for the Centre of Primary Health Care and Equity at the University of New South Wales, and is currently the Deputy Director of the Translational Cancer Research Network. Amongst his many roles, Mark has served as Director at the Centre of Obesity Management and Prevention Research Excellence in Primary Health Care from 2013 to 2018; Director of General Practice at South West Sydney Area Health Service 1993; volunteer general practitioner at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre since 2000; and the Editorial Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Guidelines for Preventive Care in General Practice. Mark was formerly a member of the Heart Foundation Clinical Issues Committee, from 2003 to 2012; he is a Life Fellow at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners; an Australian Academy of Health and Medical Services Fellow in 2015; and has received numerous awards. These include the Muru Marri Indigenous Health Prize Impact 2014, the Peter Baum Public Health Award 2013, Professorial Research Fellow at the National Health and Research Council 2011-2015, the Charles Webb Bridge Medal, the Australian Association of Academic Primary Care 2010 and the Humanitarian Award from the Refugee Council of Australia in 2010. Mark Harris's efforts have been nothing short of admirable. Mark has had a positive impact on Australian health, and his contributions and input to the Australian health industry have been spectacular.

Another academic local is Andrew McLachlan. He has served his community as researcher, educator and administrator, as demonstrated by his current role as the dean of Sydney University's pharmacy faculty. Andrew has had roles as professor of pharmacy (aged care), past associate dean (postgraduate) and past associate dean (research). Andrew has also worked in the Australian government Department of Health and Ageing's expert Medication Reference Group and in the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, from 2010 to 2017. He chaired the National Medicines Policy Committee from 2009 to 2013. He was a member of the Australian National Medicines Policy Executive and many other bodies, including the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, the Human Research Ethics Committee, Sydney's local health district and Concord Repatriation General Hospital.

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