On 23 and 24 July, ADIA Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael represented the association at the Federal Labor Business Exchange in Adelaide, held alongside the 50th Australian Labor Party National Conference.

Across the two-day program, Sarah met with senior members of the Albanese Government, including:

• Minister Mark Butler - Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS
• Minister Sam Rae - Aged Care and Seniors
• Assistant Minister Rebecca White - Women, Indigenous Health and Health and Aged Care
• Assistant Minister Emma McBride - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Rural and Regional Health
• Minister Tanya Plibersek - Social Services
• Assistant Minister Ged Kearney - Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence
• Minister Jess Walsh - Early Childhood Education and Youth
• Minister Anne Aly - International Development, Small Business and Multicultural Affairs

The meetings provided an important opportunity to discuss the dental industry’s priorities and strengthen relationships with ministers responsible for health, aged care, social services and small business, all which intersect with the dental industry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered the keynote address at the Business Exchange lunch.

A Roadmap to Oral Health Reform

A significant outcome from the National Conference was the passage of an amendment to Labor’s policy platform committing the party to develop a roadmap to include dental services in Medicare. The roadmap would use a staged and evidence-based approach to improve access, prioritising people at the highest risk in the community. This represents an important policy development for oral health and provides a foundation for further engagement on how any future expansion could be designed and delivered.