[Greens-Media] Chief Scientist rings the alarm on superbugs: Greens

[Blyberg, Andrew (Sen R. Di Natale)]

Media Release
 
Dr Richard Di Natale
Greens Senator for Victoria
 
10/07/13
 
Chief Scientist rings the alarm on superbugs: Greens

Australian Greens health spokesperson and former GP, Senator Richard Di Natale, today welcomed a report by the Australian Government's Chief Scientist on the issue of antibiotic resistance and called on Kevin Rudd to adopt the recommendations of a recent Senate Inquiry.

"This timely report from the Chief Scientist highlights just how big the threat of antibiotic resistance is becoming to the health of Australians," said Senator Di Natale.

"I referred this issue to a Senate Inquiry last year which concluded that successive governments have failed to respond to this growing threat.  

"The Chief Scientist has rung the alarm again and we simply cannot afford another decade of inaction on this issue. 

"Thankfully my senate inquiry's report has provided a blueprint for action. The recommendations include the creation of an independent body such as a Centre for Disease Control to coordinate Australia's response, improved surveillance for resistant bacteria, better monitoring of antibiotic use, increased screening of food imports and investment in research for new antibiotics.

"As always the Greens are guided by the evidence and what is in Australia's long term interests. We know what must be done; the only question is whether Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott care enough about the future to get behind the committee's recommendations."

The full report from the Finance and Public Administration Committee can be found here: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=fapa_ctte/completed_inquiries/2010-13/jetacar/report/index.htm  

Media Contact: Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600