Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) presented a petition bearing 3889 signatures:

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that in 1987 the Cain government created VicHealth, the world’s first health promotion foundation to promote health and prevent chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. They set a small annual income in the legislation, and gave it independence so it could say things that governments might not want to hear.

The Victorian Government is planning to dissolve VicHealth into the Department of Health, which already operates on a tight budget. This effectively means VicHealth will disappear. VicHealth’s ability to be a world leader in vital health promotion relies on its independence.

The Petitioners therefore request that the Victorian Government save VicHealth, protect its funding and independence and reverse the plan to absorb it into the Department of Health.

Sarah MANSFIELD: As this is a petition qualifying for debate under standing order 11.03(10), I give notice that I intend to move ‘That the petition be taken into consideration’ on Wednesday next sitting week.