Labor Senator Kate Lundy has warmly welcomed the addition of health promotion to the shadow portfolio of Sport and Recreation.
Labor recognises that prevention plays a vital role in reducing the economic and social burden of preventable disease and improving the general health and wellbeing of all Australians. Latest figures such as the fact that almost one quarter of our children are overweight and that over 1 million Australians have diabetes are alarming. Labor will be developing policy to begin to curb these trends.
Promoting health and healthy lifestyles has always been at the heart of sport and recreation policy for the Labor Party so this addition to the portfolio will help Labor build a stronger focus on the health benefits of physical activity for all Australians.
For years the Howard Government narrowed the federal sport portfolio, funding fewer sports and ignoring grass roots participation until recently when the obesity crisis forced them to act.
In contrast, a future Labor Government views sport and recreational activities which get people physically active as an essential part of achieving our goals for healthy kids and our strategies to improve the wellbeing of adults in Australia.
Giving up smoking, taking care in the sun, eating nutritious food and taking opportunities for physical activity at all stages of life are important elements to lowering risk of chronic diseases.
I am thrilled to be able to develop Labor’s federal policy in Health Promotion further over the coming months as health and wellbeing is important to parents, families and individuals alike.
Contact: Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059 or 6277 3334
