Former ministers' media centre

Young people across Tasmania’s North-West Coast can now rely on a reinforced mental health service, ensuring better access and support for those who need it most.

Australia’s medical students have had a difficult year with the challenges posed by COVID-19. But with more than 3,700 set to graduate and start their careers next year, it has still been a success.

More Australian families are vaccinating their children, with new figures showing four quarters of growth in all childhood coverage rates to September 2020, the highest on record.

The Australian Government will roll out a COVID-19 mental health campaign How’s your head today? to urge people to prioritise their mental health, raise awareness about how to identify when something is wrong, and encourage people to seek help.

Read the transcript of a press conference with Minister Hunt about Mental health, internal borders and international travel.

The Australian Government is backing Australia’s efforts to bring the 2027 Rugby World Cup Down Under, with an $8.8 million funding injection to support our bid to host the event and provide a major economic and tourism boost.

On 30 October 2020, the Australian Government is urging everyone to wear a bandanna to support young people living with, and recovering from cancer.

The Australian Government, through Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport, has locked in an investment aimed at keeping our leading sports men and women on track.

Following the recent release of the national digital health skills and training plan, Australia’s largest healthcare workforce of more than 400,000 nurses and midwives can now assess their digital health knowledge and skills against a new professional development framework.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview on with Ben Fordham on 2GB about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Read the transcript of a press conference with Minister Hunt and AMA ACT President, Dr. Antonio Di Dio about funding for new treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis and COVID-19.

Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and various forms of cancer will benefit from an Australian Government investment of more than $86 million over the next four years to provide greater access to life saving medicines.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are being encouraged to use an Australian Government toolkit to ensure young children are meeting their milestones for hearing and speaking.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview on Sunrise with Samantha Armytage about coronavirus (COVID-19).

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the incidence and severity of perinatal depression and anxiety. Since March 2020, the number of new callers to the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) helpline has doubled. 43% of all calls to the PANDA helpline come from Victoria.

The Australian Government is ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of young people remains a priority during a challenging time.

Joint media release with the Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, announcing the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health would continue for another three years.

Senior Australians have been encouraged to maintain a healthy diet as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way we live, work, study and socialise.

The Australian Government is investing $12.4 million in a Grief and Trauma Response Package to ensure support is available for those affected by COVID-19 across the aged care sector.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Leon Byner on 5AA about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Read the transcript of a doorstop with Minister Hunt and Professor Michael Kidd on Wednesday 14 October 2020.

The Australian Government recognises it is a very challenging time for many Australians, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life and work having taken a considerable toll on the mental health of individuals and communities.

The enormous contribution of carers is being celebrated as part of National Carers Week.

Flinders University has been awarded the contract to develop the first stage of the Australian Government’s new $34 million Aged Care Centre for Growth and Translation Research.

Young Australians will be offered more opportunity and increased support to build a better future under key measures announced in the 2020–21 Budget.