Australian Health Protection Principal Committee

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) is the peak decision-making committee for public health emergency management and disease control in the Commonwealth of Australia.[1][2] It is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Government and comprises the Chief Health Officers of the States and Territories. The AHPPC is a principal committee of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) which supports the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council.[3]

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
Committee overview
Formed2 July 2006
Preceding Committee
  • National Public Health Partnership
Committee executive
Parent departmentGovernance: Council of Australian Governments
Secretariat: Department of Health
Websitehttps://www.health.gov.au/committees-and-groups/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc

Role

The AHPPC was established by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) on 2 July 2006 to provide expert advice on high-level and intergovernmental coordination of public health emergency management.[4] The AHPPC is tasked with providing advice on health protection in the context of emerging health threats, infectious disease, environmental health, and natural disasters. The AHPPC also collaborates with state and territory governments to develop consistency and standards for national health protection.[5]

The AHPPC is also responsible for authorising the deployment of the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT).[6]

COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, the AHPPC has provided expert advice to the National Security Committee, the Cabinet of Australia, and the National Cabinet of Australia.[7]

Membership

The AHPPC is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Government and comprises the Chief Health Officers of the State and Territory Governments, nominated health disaster officials, the chairs of the AHPPC standing committees, a representative from Emergency Management Australia of the Department of Home Affairs, the Surgeon-General of the Australian Defence Force, a representative from the New Zealand Ministry of Health, and other public health and clinical experts.[8][9]

Jurisdiction Position Office holder
Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer and Director of Human Biosecurity (Chair) Professor Brendan Murphy
New South Wales Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary Population and Public Health Dr Kerry Chant PSM
Victoria Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton
Queensland Chief Health Officer and Deputy Director-General Prevention Dr Jeannette Young
Western Australia Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson
South Australia Chief Medical Officer and Chief Public Health Officer Dr Nicola Spurrier
Tasmania Chief Medical Officer Professor Tony Lawler
Australian Capital Territory Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman
Northern Territory Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie
Australian Defence Force Surgeon-General and Commander Joint Health Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey
Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan
Commonwealth Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth
Commonwealth Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Firman
Commonwealth Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AM

Standing committee

The AHPPC also provides strategic direction and support to five standing committees:

  • Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA)
  • National Health Emergency Management Standing Committee (NHEMS)
  • Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN)
  • Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth)
  • Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections Standing Committee (BBVSS)

Secretariat

The Office of Health Protection of the Department of Health provides secretariat support functions for the AHPPC and its standing committees.[10]

See also

References
  1. Australian Health Protection Principal Committee Department of Health
  2. From plague to MERS: coordinating Australia’s response to emerging infectious diseases Firman J, Williams SA, Baggoley C. 2016 Public Health Research and Practice 26(5)
  3. AHMAC Principal Committees Council of Australian Governments Health Council
  4. Australian Health Protection Principal Committee Australian Government Directory
  5. Australian Health Protection Principal Committee Australian Government Directory
  6. Australian Government Response Plan for Overseas Mass Casualty Incidents Department of Home Affairs 2017
  7. Advice on coronavirus Prime Minister's Office Media Release 13 March 2020
  8. Department of Health’s Coordination of Communicable Disease Emergencies Performance Audit Report Australian National Audit Office Auditor-General Report No. 57 22 June 2017
  9. Emergency Response Plan for Communicable Disease Incidents of National Significance: National Arrangements (National CD Plan) Department of Health
  10. Australian Government Directory entry
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