Australia’s health is under the microscope with AUSactive is calling for a ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’-style preventive health campaign and, in accord with their own policy, to increase preventative health funding from 2% to 5% of the $124B health budget to address Australia’s $14.1 billion annual physical inactivity crisis.
AUSactive CEO, Barrie Elvish, says the government takes up this plan, it will action its goals to free up more hospital beds, reduce obesity, curb type 2 diabetes, address mental health concerns, and lower the incidence of chronic diseases, especially heart disease, which is the leading cause of ill health in Australia, closely followed by dementia.
Regular physical activity can lower the risk of coronary heart disease by 40% and type 2 diabetes by 30-50%. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing dementia by 30–40% and the risk of death in people with dementia by up to 30%.
“The urgency is clear – Australia needs to stop being a nation of spectators and become one of participants,” says Barrie. “Australia’s healthcare system cannot sustain the growing burden of inactivity.
“Just 15 minutes of movement a day can reverse poor health trends, ease mental strain, and save billions in healthcare costs. The government’s own National Preventive Health Strategy talks about increasing the budget for preventive health from 2% to 5%.
“The total health budget for this year is about $124 billion, but only $2 billion is directed towards preventive health, with the majority of that going to Sport. The government's own Health budget identifies that for every dollar spent in preventive health, has a return of $14.
“Imagine the savings to taxpayers generated by this investment. a robust preventative health strategy running for five or so years would give the bean counters time to see budget savings flowing through, save lives, improve mental health, and slash billions in healthcare costs.”
This comes as Simon Kennedy, Member for Cook, has emerged as the fittest federal MP in AUSactive’s bipartisan Fit for Officechallenge, surpassing last year’s winner, Dr Andrew Leigh. The 3-week exercise initiative led by Australia’s peak body forexercise engaged 37 MPs and 150 parliamentary staff in addressing Australia’s health crisis.
MPs logged workouts using the Myzone app, tracking heart rate-based effort points (MEPs) to ensure a level playing field, and the Top 3 are:
|
MP Challenge Leaderboard |
MEPs |
|
1. Mr Simon Kennedy MP |
6444 |
|
2. The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP |
6149 |
|
3. The Hon Angus Taylor MP |
3974 |
AUSactive CEO, Barrie Elvish, says, “I congratulate Simon Kennedy for taking out first place in the 2024 Fit for Office challenge. Although he has secured a podium position, in reality all our federal representatives who participated are winners.
“I thank them for demonstrating their personal commitment to physical activity and acting as great role models for the Australian community.”
Simon’s Fitness Journey: After a routine Heart Foundation check at parliament revealed elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, Kennedy committed to transforming his health. He works out with personal trainer Phil Baggnal at Anytime Fitness in in Miranda, Caringbah, and Cronulla, and runs around his electorate – sometimes up to 15kms. As a result, he has:
- Dropped from 86kg to 81kg
- Lost 5kg, reduced fat by 4%
- Improved his blood pressure from 132/88 to 120/75
Father-of-two Kennedy, 42, who surged ahead of Dr Leigh late on Wednesday night, says, “This is the late swing we’re hoping forin the election!”
“I’ve always been fit and healthy, but the health check surprised me. It was enough to click me into gear to refocus on fitness. The challenge gave me the push I needed and I’ve lost 5kg, reduced fat by 4%, and improved my blood pressure from 132/88 to 120/75.
“We do training sessions with high intensity weights, and I do boot camps on the weekend, mixed in with running. In the early days, Phil made me take photos of meals to hold me to account, which was intense, but it gets results.
“My blood pressure is now 120/75 whereas before it was 132/88, and I really love the social aspect of exercising with Steve, Phil and all the local community members in their boot camps. I’ll definitely keep this up.”
More Fit for Office MP quotes here
Call to Action
AUSactive’s goal is to inspire 15% more Australians to embrace active, healthier lives by 2030. The bipartisan challenge saw 37 MPs and 150 staff logging workouts using the Myzone app, with leaderboards broadcasting every step, squat, and sprint. Its heart rate data quantifies physical activity based on each person’s effort; the harder they work, the more MEPs/minutes they earn, which levels the playing field in ways that steps, distance, or minutes cannot.
