In the national conversation about healthcare reform, Tasmania is often seen as a state with challenges – we have an ageing population, high rates of chronic disease, a workforce shortfall and limited access to specialist care. But what if these very challenges made Tasmania the perfect place to lead a revolution in preventative health?
As a Tasmanian not-for-profit supporting more than 90,000 people across the state, St Lukes has spent the past few years championing a bold shift in our approach to health – one that prioritises prevention, collaboration, and long-term investment. We wholeheartedly believe Tasmania is uniquely positioned to show the rest of the country what is possible.
St Lukes has taken this message to the highest levels of government. From advocating during the last federal election for a dedicated future fund exclusively for preventative health – to be piloted in Tasmania – we’ve consistently stated the case for smarter, more sustainable healthcare.
Most recently, our submission to the Federal Productivity Commission Inquiry into Delivering quality care more efficiently, laid out a practical roadmap for regional reform, grounded in Tasmania’s unique context.
Our submission outlines eight practical recommendations, including a single national registration system for care workers, regional advisory boards, and tying ongoing prevention funding to incremental measurable outcomes. These reforms are not just aspirational, they are achievable, scalable, and urgently needed.
Our St Lukes wellness hubs in Hobart and Launceston are living proof of what’s possible. These welcoming spaces have engaged almost 30,000 Tasmanians in programs focused on movement, nutrition, and connection. We’ve partnered with more than 250 organisations to deliver community-led solutions that empower people to take charge of their health.
St Lukes has entered a partnership with Devonport City Council to replicate and indeed enhance this model in the north-west of the state, where chronic disease rates are among the highest in the country.
Tasmania’s size, diversity, and health profile make it a microcosm of regional Australia. If we can prove that quality, preventative care can be delivered more effectively here, we can provide a blueprint for the nation.
We need governments to match our ambition with investment. We need policies that prioritise keeping people well, not just treating them when they’re sick. And we need a national commitment to preventative care that reflects both the urgency of the challenge and the promise of the solution.
The evidence is clear, we know the community is ready, and the time is now. Tasmania can lead the way, and St Lukes is proud to be driving that change.
Paul Lupo is CEO of Tasmanian not-for-profit St Lukes.