Labor thanks Professor Chris Baggoley for his service to the nation as Australia’s Chief Medical Officer.
In his five years as CMO, Professor Baggoley has played a crucial role in protecting Australia from numerous threats to the nation’s health.
I would like to pay particular tribute to Professor Baggoley’s role in leading the nation’s response to the Ebola outbreak and more recently, the Zika Virus.
Professor Baggoley has also played a crucial leadership role in other major health challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance, vaccine preventable disease, the risk of new communicable diseases, and improved screening and early diagnosis of non-communicable diseases such as cancer.
On a personal level I would also like to thank him for his openness and willingness to meet with the Opposition, and fully brief us on major health issues.
Labor also warmly welcomes the appointment of Austin Health CEO Brendan Murphy as Australia’s new Chief Medical Officer.
Professor Murphy is both a highly respected clinician and health administrator in his role as Director of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
As a former deputy Chair of Health Workforce Australia and former President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology he brings an unparalleled breadth of clinical knowledge and experience to the role.