A Shorten Labor Government will commit $15 million to establish the National Health and Climate Centre at UNSW Sydney, co-ordinating research and responses to the impact of climate change on the health of Australians.

This investment will directly boost Australia’s health and climate change research capabilities in Sydney as well as in partner agencies across the country.

The Centre will bring together the research and responses of federal agencies including the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council, along with state and territory governments and other universities.

The National Health and Climate Centre will focus on policy-relevant research including:

Temperature-related death and illness, particularly among the elderly and young.

Climate impacts on water-related illness in rural areas.

Climate impacts on health services for vulnerable populations, including Indigenous Australians and low socioeconomic groups.

Air quality impacts on populations as a result of bush fires.

Mental health and well-being under increasing climate induced stress.

The National Health and Climate Centre would be overseen by an independent advisory board.

Board members would include representation from all state and territory health departments, the health service industry, academia and the NGO sector.

This $15 million investment is part of Labor’s $300 million University Future Fund.

Full media release can be viewed here