❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the state government's preparedness for a potential avian influenza pandemic, covering actions taken, border security, funding, action plans, and interagency response. The Premier provides details on collaboration, funding allocation, and existing committees.
AnsweredQoN 648Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the increasing risk to all Western Australians of an influenza pandemic as a result of avian influenza or bird flu. Will the Premier please advise the following - (1) What specific action has the state government taken to protect Western Australians from the potential risk of avian influenza? (2) Has the state government increased border security or surveillance in direct response to the risk of avian influenza; and, if so, what are the details of that response? (3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(1) What specific action has the state government taken to protect Western Australians from the potential risk of avian influenza? (2) Has the state government increased border security or surveillance in direct response to the risk of avian influenza; and, if so, what are the details of that response? (3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(2) Has the state government increased border security or surveillance in direct response to the risk of avian influenza; and, if so, what are the details of that response? (3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
[See paper 927.]
(1) What specific action has the state government taken to protect Western Australians from the potential risk of avian influenza? (2) Has the state government increased border security or surveillance in direct response to the risk of avian influenza; and, if so, what are the details of that response? (3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(2) Has the state government increased border security or surveillance in direct response to the risk of avian influenza; and, if so, what are the details of that response? (3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(3) How much funding has the state government set aside to meet any additional costs associated with implementing a state action plan? (4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(4) Will the Premier table a copy of the state action plan that forms part of the “Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”? (5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(5) Has the government established an interagency response team in Western Australia to deal with the increased risk; and, if so, when was it established and who chairs it? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(1) The state government has taken a wide range of actions to protect Western Australians from the risk of avian influenza. These include active collaboration with the Australian government in developing national response plans in both the health and agricultural sectors and the development of state-specific plans. Concerning human health, please refer to the “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza”, as referenced in response to (4). (2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(2) Border security and surveillance is principally an Australian government responsibility. However, the state government is actively collaborating with the commonwealth to ensure appropriate security from the perspective of animal and human health. The Australian government has committed $160 million over five years for pandemic preparedness and response, which includes training for border personnel and the purchase of thermal imaging machines for use in temperature screening at airports. (3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(3) The state government has recently allocated $9.2 million over four years to the Department of Health for a broad range of disaster preparedness initiatives including preparedness for an influenza pandemic. Specific allocations to pandemic influenza preparedness are under consideration. (4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(4) Yes. The “Western Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza” is available at http://www/health.wa.gov.au/disaster/pandemic_influenza/state_plans.cfm . (5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
(5) Yes. The Western Australian Influenza Pandemic Advisory Committee was established in February 2004 and is chaired by the Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate within the Department of Health. The committee is aligned with the State Human Epidemic Emergency Management Committee and reports to the State Health Disaster Management Committee, which is chaired by the State Health Coordinator. The latter reports to the State Emergency Coordination Group. [See paper 927.]
[See paper 927.]
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