Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

Abolishing ANPHA will streamline and better coordinate preventive health efforts that are currently spread across the Commonwealth health portfolio agencies, removing unnecessary duplication, regulation and costs. It will cease operations and we will reintegrate essential ongoing functions into the Department of Health, where most of their functions originally came from. The Department of Health is more than capable of providing these functions

The government does not need a separate agency to continue working with jurisdictions and other stakeholders, seeking expert advice or forming productive working relationships with other bodies. These collaborations will continue where necessary.

The government has a strong track record in supporting preventative health. Previous coalition initiatives include graphic health warnings to reduce smoking rates. We supported breast screening and introduced the National Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The best prevention is investment in services, including vaccines, medicines and doctors.