The NHHRC developed an extensive engagement program to seek input from the public, frontline health workers, professional and consumer groups, and other interested people and organisations.
The first stage was a public call for submissions, advertised nationally over two weekends in early April. The commission received well over 500 submissions from interested individuals and organisations.
In addition the commission held a series of forums of 2-3 hours duration each in all capital cities and 5 rural and regional centres. Attendance at these forums was by invitation, and the Commission worked with consumer groups, professional bodies, unions and other organisations, to achieve a broad engagement from a wide variety of people. Reports on each of these forums have been prepared with the assistance of Elton Consulting.
The second stage followed the release of the Interim Report of the Commission: A Healthier Future for all Australians on 16 February 2009. Following its release on this website, the Commission sought suggestions from the public on how to improve the reform directions proposed in the Interim Report.
Feedback was provided to the Commission both via its online survey, and in writing. All feedback was due by Monday 16 March 2009. The Commission has received over 240 submissions and over 450 e-survey responses from interested individuals and organisations.
The Commission thanks all those who have provided submissions and survey responses and is drawing on these to inform the development of its final report to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MHR, due in June 2009.
Page currency, Latest update: 16 February, 2009