Albanese government announces establishment of $251m Centre for Disease Control

The federal government has announced it will establish a $251m Centre for Disease Control to provide ‘a single, comprehensive real time data and surveillance system’ and evidence base to inform government responses to diseases.

Health Minister Mark Butler in Canberra on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

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The federal government has announced it will establish a $251m Centre for Disease Control to provide “a single, comprehensive real time data and surveillance system” and evidence base to inform government responses to diseases.

The establishment of a permanent CDC follows an interim operation within the Department of Health, and is one of the immediate actions included in the Covid-19 inquiry report.

Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed the CDC would start operating in Canberra as an independent statutory agency from January 1, 2026.

“As you know, Australia, at the beginning of this pandemic, was pretty much the only OECD ­nation without a central, authoritative centre for disease control, and it was an election promise from Anthony Albanese, made in one of this budget reply speeches to close that gap and to establish that CDC here in Australia,” he said.

AMA president Danielle McMullen.

“The first priority of the CDC will be to establish a comprehensive joined up data and surveillance system, in partnership with states and territories.”

Mr Butler said the CDC would also be responsible for providing independent, evidence-based advice about responses to pandemics and communicable diseases.

“It will also be responsible for engagement with regional and international partners,” he said.

The report recommended finalising the establishment of the CDC to “become trusted and ­authoritative on risk assessment and communication, and a national repository of communicable disease data, evidence and advice”.

Australian Medical Association president Danielle McMullen urged states and territories to get behind the CDC.

“We’ve had some concerns about delays in getting the CDC up and running, with the full implementation falling behind schedule,” Dr McMullen said.

“We are concerned that jurisdictional differences, unwarranted concerns about the establishment of an independent body and the failure to fully appreciate the benefits of a national approach to tackle future health challenges are stymying the development of the CDC.”