Australian COVID-19 policy responses: a health equity report card

In this webinar we launch the new ANU Menzies Centre for Health Governance report Australian COVID-19 Policy Responses: a Health Equity Report Card. Join Menzies Director Professor Sharon Friel and ACOSS Deputy CEO Edwina MacDonald discuss the Australian Federal and State/Territory Governments' report cards on the employment, income support and housing policies introduced as a response to the pandemic and their health equity implications. Each of these issues are important social determinants of health equity, affecting peoples' financial security, sense of dignity and control over their lives, and the provision of shelter. In addition to the report card, we discuss the policy silences and the need for a social vaccine.

About the Speakers

Sharon Friel is an ARC Laureate Fellow, Professor of Health Equity and Director of the ANU Menzies Centre for Health Governance in RegNet. Prof Friel is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Australia and Co-Director of the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in the Social Determinants of Health Equity. Her 2019 book, Climate Change and the People's Health highlights the importance of addressing the consumptogenic system.

Edwina MacDonald is the Deputy CEO and Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Australian Council of Social Service. Prior to joining ACOSS, Edwina led the Sydney office and United Nations advocacy for the Human Rights Law Centre. She has previously led reform agendas for Women's Legal Services and UNSW's Kingsford Legal Centre; worked as a researcher with UNSW's Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law; lectured in law reform and public interest law; and worked in federal government.

This event will be delivered online only via Zoom.

Image: Morning Brew on Unsplash under Unsplash License