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2023 New South Wales Election
To support people living with asthma, their carers and health professionals, Asthma Australia has identified four priority areas for the 2023 New South Wales (NSW) Election. These priority areas focus on reducing the risk factors for asthma symptoms and exacerbations. Many of these risk factors also contribute to the development of asthma in people who do not have the condition. Addressing these priorities will contribute to the systemic changes needed to ensure people in NSW, including those with asthma, can breathe better and live freely.
The priorities outlined below will reduce the burden of asthma in NSW.
1. Contribute funding to a national AirSmart public education campaign
AirSmart aims to educate and empower people by providing the information, tools and strategies needed to minimise or avoid exposure to unhealthy air. By doing so, AirSmart reduces the negative impacts of unhealthy air on people’s health, wellbeing and participation in society. A pilot AirSmart campaign in July and August 2022 that included southern NSW in the pilot sites demonstrated strong results.
2. Supporting people with asthma on low incomes to install cleaner and more efficient forms of heating, cooling and cooking in their homes
Improving the appliances people in NSW use to heat their homes and cook their food will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Indoor air pollution from heating with gas or wood heaters and cooking with gas cooktops produces a range of pollutants and can worsen indoor air quality. Exposure to these pollutants can trigger asthma flare-ups and contribute to the development of asthma.i The effects of these issues may be particularly acute for people who rent or live in social housing as they may have limited means or agency to make necessary improvements to their homes.ii Pollution from wood heaters can worsen indoor air quality and is a leading source of outdoor air pollution.iii
3. Investing in HEPA air purifiers to improve the air quality in the homes of people with asthma on low incomes
Health advice during periods of air pollution includes staying inside with doors and windows closed, however, air pollution can enter buildings. This was a significant issue for people across NSW during the 2019-20 bushfire smoke crisis. While HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) air purifiers can be highly effective in reducing indoor air pollutioniv the cost can prevent people on low incomes from purchasing air purifiers for their homes. Supporting people on low incomes with asthma with the cost of purchasing air purifiers would be an effective measure to improve indoor air quality during air pollution events and increase equity.
2022 Victorian Election
To support people living with asthma, their carers and health professionals, Asthma Australia has identified four priority areas for the 2022 Victorian Election. These priority areas focus on people who need support and will influence the systemic changes needed to ensure these people are supported to live healthy lives. The programs outlined below will lighten the burden for people with asthma in Victoria.
Asthma Australia provides the Victorian community with a range of services which currently do not receive any ongoing funding from the Victorian Government. These services are our 1800 phone line; Schools and Young Peoples Program; and the education of health care professionals. Asthma affects 11.4% of Victorians, more than 714,000 people, and we are seeking funding to provide these services and improve the lives of Victorians living with asthma.
Priority: Program funding for asthma support and education in Victoria
Asthma Australia seeks funding to implement and evaluate the national AirSmart campaign. AirSmart aims to educate and empower people with the information, tools and strategies needed to minimise or avoid exposure to unhealthy air and by doing so, reduce the negative impacts of unhealthy air on their health, wellbeing and participation in society. AirSmart was piloted in July and August 2022 and regional Victoria was included in the pilot sites.
Priority: Contribute to the national AirSmart public education campaign to reduce the health impacts of air pollution
Asthma Australia notes the Victorian Government response to the Victorian Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Victoria is now overdue, and recommends the immediate response to this report and the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
Priority: Respond to and implement in full recommendations from the Victorian air pollution inquiry
Asthma Australia considers that the Victorian Government must restore public confidence in the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) through the following actions:
- Publish online a table setting out the real-time status of the implementation of the recommendations from the ESTA capability and service review: final report and the Review of Victoria’s emergency ambulance call answer performance: COVID-19 pandemic-related 000 demand surge by the Inspector General for Emergency Management, and the proposed completion date of each recommendation.
- Engage Graham Ashton, who led the review, to conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the ESTA capability and service review: final report recommendations in May 2023 which should be made publicly available.
Priority: Restore public confidence in ESTA
