Written by Deakin Distinguished Trish Livingston

What was submission about?

The submission is a formal response to the Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. This Bill forms part of the legislative package to establish Australia’s new Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Deakin University, through the Deakin Institute for Health Transformation, is contributing expert feedback on how the CDC should be structured, governed, resourced, and connected to the broader public health system.

This Bill forms part of the legislative package to establish Australia’s new Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Deakin University was contributing expert feedback on how the CDC should be structured, governed, resourced, and connected to the broader public health system.

Key points included

  1. Strengthening Evidence‑Based Policy Capacity. The submission explains that the CDC needs strong access to data and research so it can give clear, reliable advice—especially during health emergencies. This means being able to gather information quickly, coordinate research, and understand what the evidence is showing in real time
  2. Improving How the Advisory Council Works. The submission raises concerns about the same person acting as both the CDC Director‑General and the Chair of the Advisory Council, which could affect the CDC’s independence. The submission recommends appointing an independent Chair and holding more regular meetings to ensure proper oversight.
  3. Building Australia’s Public Health Readiness. The submission highlights that universities and research institutes play a vital role in disease surveillance, data analysis, modelling, and public health communication. The submission encourages the CDC to formally partner with these organisations to strengthen Australia’s public health system.
  4. Planning Early for Chronic Disease Prevention. Although the CDC will start with a focus on infectious diseases, the submission urges government to begin planning now for its future role in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease—ideally with a clear roadmap within the CDC’s first two year

In summary

This submission from Deakin University’s Faculty of Health supports the creation of Australia’s new Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and outlines practical ways to make it stronger and more effective. It recommends clearer decision‑making processes, better access to data and research, closer partnerships with universities, and early planning for future work in preventing chronic diseases. Overall, the submission aims to ensure the CDC can provide trusted national leadership and help keep all Australians safer and healthier

Policy impact