Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Conference Virtual Official Opening

It is a great pleasure to join the inaugural Healthy Environments and Lives conference this morning by live teleconference.

 

At the outset, I acknowledge First Nations people, not just here in Brisbane, but wherever else around Australia and the world you may be today.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken us all into the world of virtual conferences to an extent we would not have thought possible only a few short years ago.

 

This two-day HEAL Conference has brought together more than a hundred researchers from universities, research institutes and NGOs across Australia to share virtual conversations with policy makers, health practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, charities and community members.

 

It is a brilliant concept and to realise a hybrid multi-node conference of this scope and scale is certainly a significant technical achievement.

 

However, the most important feature of any conference is the quality and relevance of the presentations, and the conversations that take place.

 

To gather so many important voices and diverse views requires an inspired vision and dedicated effort and I congratulate the conference committee on bringing this unique event to fruition.

 

I may no longer be Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, but today’s focus on regional concerns and priorities for environmental change and health, remain very close to my heart – so close, in fact, that in my swearing-in address as Queensland’s 27^th governor earlier this month, I made a public pledge to do all I can to promote a healthy and active Queensland during my term of office.

 

I also publicly set myself the goal of visiting every public hospital in the State. There are, I think, about 179 of them and they span the State and the alphabet from Augathella to Woorabinda, but I know how vital these visits will be.

 

They will enable frank and open conversations and give me an armoury of first-hand experiences and anecdotes to be able to advocate for the concerns and aspirations of both the staff and the communities they serve.

 

I am very aware that the impact of changes in climate and the environment are likely to be among their primary concerns.

 

We need to ensure that our regional and rural health system remains resilient and sustainable; we need to consider the impact of extreme weather events on the health of communities; and we need to tap into the ancient knowledge and experience of our Indigenous peoples in addressing those challenges.

 

Although I can be with you for only a short time this morning, it is a privilege and pleasure to declare today’s conference session open.

 

I hope the day brings robust and fruitful debate, and look forward very much to seeing the outcomes and recommendations.

 

Thank you.