Australia needs a National Clean Air Strategy

An open letter to all 2025 Federal Election candidates

 

All Australians should be able to breathe clean, safe air. But right now the health impacts of air pollution are increasing.

Australians are exposed to more smoke from larger bushfires, more pollen from extended pollen seasons, and more biological hazards from worsening flood events and heavier rain.

Our homes and public buildings are not designed to protect against mould proliferation, the spread of airborne infections, indoor pollutants like combustion emissions, or the infiltration of outdoor pollutants. These challenges come at significant cost to our health and wellbeing.

Currently, outdoor air pollution is linked to approximately 3,200 premature deaths every year, costing Australia more than $6.2 billion annually. In 2001, indoor air pollution in Australia was estimated to cost $12 billion per year, a figure that has only grown with new airborne respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.

Air hazards impact every organ system in the body, increasing rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, diabetes, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders.

Much of this impact is avoidable and even small improvements in air quality have substantial health benefits.

Clean air is too important for government responsibility to remain fragmented across health and environment agencies and across different levels of government.

Australia needs national leadership and investment to ensure effective and coordinated action is taken to secure cleaner air for all communities.

While Australia already invests in comprehensive strategies for food and water safety, there is a notable lack of investment in air quality – the most critical environmental determinant of health. Yet the cost-effectiveness of such an investment is clear. Investing in cleaner air provides a large return on investment for all Australians by:

  • Improving health outcomes related to many chronic illnesses such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and cancer
  • Improved productivity by reducing the spread of respiratory infections, airborne disease and epidemics such as COVID-19
  • Supporting healthy child development and enabling us to stay healthier longer
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to secure long-term protection of Australia’s health, economy, and security from worsening climate change impacts.

Air quality affects every Australian. Now is the time for leadership to secure access to safe, clean air—just as we do for other necessities of life like food and water.

We urge the next Australian government to commit to a National Clean Air Strategy with dedicated resources for leadership and implementation, to tackle the health and wellbeing impacts of air pollution.

Yours faithfully,

  • Professor Fay Johnston, Chief Investigator, Centre for Safe Air (NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence), University of Tasmania
  • David Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer, National Heart Foundation of Australia
  • Kate Miranda, Chief Executive Officer, Asthma Australia
  • Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer, Lung Foundation Australia
  • Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO Burnet Institute
  • Dr Bronwyn King AO, Special Advisor for Clean Air, Burnet Institute Honorary
  • Professor Guy Marks AO, Working Group Head, Lung Health and Senior Principal Research Fellow, Burnet Institute
  • Distinguished Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley AC, Chair, Doctors for the Environment
  • Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis, Director of the NHMRC Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, University of Canberra
  • Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska, Director, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH) and the ARC Training Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection Transmission (THRIVE), QUT
  • Distinguished Professor Shyamali Dharmage, Head of the Allergy and Lung Health Unit and Deputy Director (Research) of the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Melbourne
  • Distinguished Professor Yuming Guo, Head of the Climate, Air Quality Research (CARE) Unit, Monash University
  • Professor Rebecca Bentley, Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing
  • Professor Tamera Corte, Director of Interstitial Lung Disease in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Chief Investigator on the Centre of Research Excellence for Pulmonary Fibrosis, University of Sydney
  • Associate Professor Ivan Hanigan, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Climate Change and Health Impact Assessment, Curtin University
  • Francine Manansala, Society President, Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand
  • Michelle Isles, Chief Executive Officer, Climate and Health Alliance
  • Plum Stone, CEO, Safer Air Project

 

Signatories (244)

Candidates and Federal Elected Representatives

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Senator for Queensland, The Australian Greens
Mr. Martin Barry, Candidate for Hotham, The Australian Greens
Senator Catryna Bilyk, Senator for Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
Mr. Brendan Blomeley, Candidate for Franklin, Independent
Ms. Nicolette Boele, Candidate for Bradfield, Independent
Senator Carol Brown, Senator for Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
Ms. Jackie Carter, Candidate for Kooyong, The Australian Greens
Max Chandler-Mather, Member for Griffith, The Australian Greens
Ms. Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
The Hon. Julie Collins, Member for Franklin, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Small Business, Australian Labor Party
Dr. Verity Cooper, Candidate for Sturt, Independent
Senator Dorinda Cox, Senator for Western Australia , The Australian Greens
Ms. Kate Dezarnaulds, Candidate for Gilmore, Independent
Ms. Michelle Faye, Candidate for McPherson, Independent
Ms. Ravneet Garcha, Candidate for Calwell, The Australian Greens
Mr. Peter George, Candidate for Franklin, Independent
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator for South Australia, The Australian Greens
Dr. Kathryn Hardwick-Franco, Candidate for Grey, The Australian Greens
Ms. Caz Heise, Candidate for Cowper, Independent
Mr. Richard Hendrie, Candidate for Farrer, The Australian Greens
Ms. Suzie Holt, Candidate for Groom, Independent
The Hon. Ged Kearney, Member for Cooper, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Australian Labor Party
Ms. Deb Leonard, Candidate for Monash, Independent
Mr. Adam Martin, Candidate for Braddon, Independent
The Hon. Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories , Australian Labor Party
Senator Nick McKim, Senator for Tasmania, The Australian Greens
Ms. Erin Morrow, Candidate for Braddon, The Australian Greens
Mr Ahmed Ouf, Candidate for Blaxland, Independent
Senator David Pocock, Senator for the ACT, Independent
Senator Barbara Pocock, Senator for South Australia, The Australian Greens
Ms. Jessie Price, Candidate for Bean, Independent
Ms. Alysia Regan, Candidate for Indi, The Australian Greens
Mr. Jy Sandford, Candidate for Jagajaga, The Australian Greens
Mr. Phil Scott, Candidate for Solomon, Independent
Ms. Sonya Semmens, Candidate for Macnamara, The Australian Greens
Ms. Allegra Spender, Member for Wentworth, Independent
Senator Jordan Steele-John , Senator for Western Australia , The Australian Greens
Ms. Zali Steggall, Member for Warringah, Independent
Ms. Louise Stokes, Candidate for Hunter, The Australian Greens
Ms. Susan Templeman, Member for Macquarie, Australian Labor Party
Ms. Huong Truong, Candidate for Fraser, The Australian Greens
Mr. Nick Ward, Candidate for Wentworth, The Australian Greens
Senator Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland, The Australian Greens
Ms. Elizabeth Watson-Brown, Member for Ryan, The Australian Greens
Joanna Wells, Candidate for Boothby, The Australian Greens
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Senator for Tasmania, The Australian Greens

Academics

Professor Michael Abramson, Emeritus Professor, Monash University
Prof. David Bowman, Professor Pyrogeography and Fire Science & ARC Laureate Fellow, University of Tasmania
Miss Al Bridge, Lecturer, JMC Academy
Dr. John Byron, Principal Policy Adviser, Queensland University of Technology
Dr. Sharon Campbell, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Tasmania
Prof. Christhina Candido, Professor, Director Sustainable and Healthy Environments Lab, The University of Melbourne
Dr. Gongbo Chen, Senior Research Fellow, Climate, Air Quality Research (CARE) Unit, Monash University
Dr. Maximilien Desservettaz, Research Fellow, University of Wollongong
Dr. Martin Doyle Phd, Bsc, CAQP, Air quality scientist, Northstar Air Quality Pty Ltd
Dr. Lisa Fuller, Lecturer, University of Canberra
Ms. Maria Gatto, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne
Dr. Anna Gibbs, Adjunct Professor, School of Humanities and Communication Arts, University of Western Sydney
Dr. Nigel Goodman, Senior Research Fellow in Air Quality and Health, Univeristy of Canberra
Dr. Karthik Gopi, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Sydney
R. Quentin Grafton, Professor, Australian National University
Mr. Gary Graham, Director | Air Quality Scientist, Northstar Air Quality Pty Ltd
Mr. Gart Graham, Air Quality Scientist, Northstar Air Quality
Mr. Michael Hellessey, Engineering Manager, Swinburne University of Technology – Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub
Prof. Jane Heyworth, Honorary Research Fellow, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia
Ms. Justine Hupkes, PhD student, QUT, Thrive
Dr. Nur Sabrina Idrose, Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
Dr. Gopika Indu, Research Fellow, University of Canberra
Prof. Bin Jalaludin, Adjunct Professor, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney
Prof. Philip Jennings AM, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Murdoch University
Dr. Kelly Jones, Lead population data scientist, Senior Research Fellow, Flinders University
Mr. Mr Keith, Retired: Tutor/Lecturer (Environment); Senior Sustainability Officer, RMIT University; Local Government
Dr. Edwin Lampugnani, Interim CEO, AirHealth Pty Ltd
Dr. Ang Li, Senior Research Fellow, The University Of Melbourne
Prof. Deborah Lupton FASSA, FAHMS, FRSN, Professor in the Centre for Social Research in Health and the Social Policy Research Centre, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture, UNSW Sydney
Dr. Erika Martino, Post doctoral research fellow, University of Melbourne
Mr. Richard Martino, PhD student, University of Tasmania
Adjunct Associate Prof. Nadia Mastersson, Chair, Collaboration for Enhanced Research Impact (CERI)
Ms. Lindsay Morgan, Knowledge Exchange Coordinator, HEAL Research Network
Dr. Anne-Marie Newton, Academic, Curtin University
Dr. Mawutorli Nyarku, Accelerator Science officer, ANSTO
Mr. Sotirios Papathanasiou, Lead Author, Global Open Air Quality Standards
Ms. Rebecca Pearce, Student, La Trobe University
Mr. David Pedersen, Graduate Computer-Science Student, Thompson Rivers University
Dr. Jennifer Perret, Senior research fellow, respiratory physician, The University of Melbourne
Dr. Owen Price, Director, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfire, University of Wollongong
Dr. Alison Radford, Air quality scientist, Environment Protection Authority Tasmania
Dr. Robyn Schofield, A/Prof in Atmospheric Chemistry, The University of Melbourne
Mr. Graeme Starke, Technical Director – Air Quality, SLR Consulting
Dr. Jo-Ann Suchard, A/Professor of Finance, UNSW
Dr. Nyadanu Sylvester Dodzi, Research Associate, Environmental and Perinatal Epidemiologist, School of Population Health, Curtin University
Dr. Shilpi Tewari, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University
Dr. Rachel Tham, Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne
Prof. Lennert Veerman, Professor of Public Health, Griffith University
Dr. Dwan Vilcins, Group leader environmental epidemiology, Child Health Research Centre; Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre, The University of Queensland
Dr. Barbara Wake PhD AM, retired senior lecturer, University of Adelaide

Health professionals

Mrs. Kelly Andrews, CEO, Healthy Cities Australia
Dr. Lorraine Baker, General Practitioner, Partner – Belmore Road Medical Centre
Miss Katrina Boldt, Clinical Nurse Specialist – Public Health , WA Country Health Service
Kent Burgess, Chief Executive Officer, Your Community Health
Dr. Lori Cameron, GP, Warrnambool
Ms. Maureen Canning, Infection Control Consultant, Western Health
Mx. Julia Clark, Registered Nurse, The Royal Melbourne Hospital / Aspen Medical
Dr. Trudy Clutterbok, Mental Health Social Worker, Dr Trudy Clutterbok
Ms. Kim Comensoli, Senior Infection Prevention Consultant, Albury Wodonga Health
Dr. George Crisp MBBS MRCGP, GP, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Shenton Park GP, UWA
Mrs. Rosemary Czernezkyj, Registered Nurse, Retired
Ms. Carly Dober, Psychologist, Enriching Lives Psychology
Dr. Laura Fitzpatrick, Emergency Physician, NBMLHD
Professor Alan Garner OAM, Trauma Director, Nepean Hospital, Sydney
Mrs. Julia Geraedts, Associate Nurse Unit Manager, Western Health
Dr. Janeil Hall, General Practitioner, Newdegate St Health Centre
Dr. Melinda Hill, Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist, Private practice
Dr. Judy Huang, GP, Medicentral Medical Center
Dr. Ed Hyde, Obstetrics & Gynaecology specialist, Hutt Hospital
Prof. Vicki Kotsirilos, Medical Practitioner, Ajunct A/Professor, University of Western Sydney, GP, Senior Lecturer, Public health spokesperson
Mrs. Janna Linke, Clinical Lead & Director, Connective Tissue Disorders Network Australia
Mr. Adam Lynch, CEO, BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia
Dr. Nancy Malek, Anaesthetist, Nepean Hospital
Dr. James Markos AM, Retired Respiratory Physician, previously in hospital and private medical practice in Launceston 1990-2024
Mrs. S Nugent, Health professional, Self Emp
Dr. Carolyn Orr, Secretary, Doctors for the Environment Australia
Ms. Michelle Owens, Clinical psychologist, Nautilus Psychology
Dr. Rob Phair, Rural generalist doctor, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
Dr. Deren Pillay, Public Health Registrar, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania
Dr. Peter Sainsbury, Retired public health physician, University of Notre Dame
Miss Jodie Schubert, Remedial Massage Therapist, Re-Balanced Bodies
Ms. Gabriela Stilita MAPS PCCP MPH, Clinical Psychologist, Second Chance Psychology
Ms. Robyn Totenhofer, Nurse Practitioner, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
Mr. Gerard Traub, Disability Support Worker, Saircare
Dr. John Van Der Kallen, Rheumatologist, Georgetown Arthritis
Ms. Kellie Williams, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Manager, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health

Private sector

Mr. David Arbuckle, Director, Assured Environmental
Mr David Bagshaw, Architect, AIA SA practice board member
Miss Kate Barker, Senior Project Consultant – Air Quality, SLR Consulting
Ms. Rebecca Barnett, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Massage Therapists
Ms. Amanda Barrett BSc, BEng, MEngSci, Technical Director, Consultant
Mr. David Blumenstein, Co-founder, Squishface Studio
Mr. Glenn Brown, Mechanical Fitter, BAE Systems Australia
Mr. Donald Butcher, Tour guide, Inala Nature Tours
Mr. Cedric Cheong, Principal Consultant, Meta Maya Environmental
Ms. Robyn Cook, Accountant, Argyle Heavy Haulage
Ms. Judith Cox, Principal Air Quality Consultant, SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd
Ms. Angela Crocombe, Bookseller, Readings
Dr. David Cruickshanks-Boyd, 2015 National President, Engineers Australia
Ms. Tricia Dearborn, Writer/Editor, Freelance
Mr. Frank Fleer, Director, Helix Environmental Pty. Ltd.
Mr. Zac Gilder, Senior Consultant, Steril-Aire Oceania Pty Ltd
Mr. Adam Graham, Data Scientist and Air Quality Analyst, Environmental Technologies & Analytics
Ms. Lisa Greenfield, National Indoor Air Quality Specialist, Erlab
Ms. Linda Griffiths-Brown, Managing Director, Total HRM
Ms. Rashmica Gupta, Software developer, IBM
Ms. Ebony Hibbert, Coach, ITV
Mrs. J J, Sales Manager APAC, Euromate Pure Air
Ms. Jiindi Jillianne Rixon, Holistic health care, Sumone Wellness Center
Mr. Calum Johnston BSc Gdip, Consultant, Freelance
Ms. Stephanie Johnston MURP MPIA M.ICOMOS, Member, SA State Planning Commission
Ms. Kelly Jolly, Accountant, Quintessencelabs
Mr. Mark Jones, National Sales Manager – Indoor Air Quality, CAREL Australia
Miss Elise Jones, Development Editor, Books for Children and Young Adults, Allen & Unwin
Mr. Colin Kinner, CEO, Safe Air Ventures
Ms. Greer Laing, Managing Director, Ecosphere Science & Technology
Ms. Alyson Macdonald, Environmental Auditor and Human Health Risk Assessor, Australian Environmental Auditors Pty Ltd
Mr. Wayne Midson, Equipment Specialists, National Air Duct Cleaners Association (Member)
Ms. Nathasha Munasinghe, Administration Coordinator, University of Canberra
Ms. SR Ng, Art Director, Double Cat Pty Ltd
Mr. YarZar Nyunt, Grants and Contracts Manager, Vital Strategies
Mr. Chris Quin, Director, Resilient Projects
Ms. Alison Reynolds, Arts Manager, KidLitVic Meet the Publishers
Mr. Tim Ring, Fitter and turner, Nyrstar Hobart
Dr. G M Hasan Shahariar, Senior Air Quality Consultant, SLR
Mrs. Megan Standring, Business owner, Outdoor/recreational
Mr. Michael Sterling, Managing Director, Shale HVAC
Mr. David Sykes, Company Director, Mail and Packaging, D&D Mailing Services
Ms. Jessica Thompson, Knitwear Designer, Cnyttan Cnottan
Mr. Matthew Thredgold, Associate Manager Software, DXC Technology
Miss Penny Tralau, Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, Mould Rescue Environmental Pty Ltd
Mr. Ben Tyler, Founder, Kakadu Kitchen
Mr. Jeroen van Straten, Founder, Indoorcare
Ms. Jamie Waterhouse, Content Writer, EnergyAustralia
Mrs. Gillian Wedding, Administrator, Red Energy

Community member

Mr. Justin Alcasas, Unemployed, N/A
Mr. Simon Allston, Gardener/ cellist,
Mr. Peter Backhouse PhD, Retired,
Ms. Alana Bech, Community member,
Mrs. Janice Bell, Retired, Retired
Andrea Benfell, Planning Administration,
Miss Leanna Clarke, Community member,
Mr. Jordan Crane, Community Member,
Mrs. Josephine Cummins, Retired, Nil
Mr. David Duindam, Environment & Sustainability Advisor, Healthcare
Mr. Quentin Ellison, Presenter, 4ZZZ
Ms. Pamela Foulkes, Retired, Retired
Mr. Jim Gleeson, Retired,
Dr. Helen Goldsworthy MBBS, Retired,
Mx. Remi Gordon, Community Member,
Mrs. Irene Hagen, Teacher/Tutor/Carer, Online business/ Home based carer
Mr. Konstas Harapas, Retired,
Ms. Ellen Holmes, Community Member, Community Member
Mrs. Barbara Horton, retired, community
Mrs. Sarah Houston, Support Worker, Mable
Ms. Lynette Jackson, Constituent, Grayndler Electorate
Ms. Helen Jeays, Concerned citizen, QUT
Mr. Darryl Johnston, Coordinator, Clean Air Canberra
Mr. Dennis Johnston, Teacher,
Ms. Kim Kane, Children’s writer, Self-employed
Ms. Tamsin Kelly, Carer,
Rev. Tegan Kop, Intersectional Disability Advocate, ,
Ms. Jessie Lawson, LC Patient,
Ms. Alison Lemer, Community Member, Self-employed
Ms. Rae McInnes, Community Member,
Mr. Peter Melnyk, Concerned citizen,
Mr. Antony Mark Merrill, Veteran,
Mr. Kelvin Mickelson, Farmer and retired senior ICTS consultant,
Ms. Laurin Milsom, Long Covid patient, prior public servant, Disabled community member
Ms. Alison Murdoch, Community member,
Ms. Angela Obradovic, Immunocompromised Community Member,
Mrs. Gabi Pattiaratchi, Recently retired public servant,
Ms. Heather Pearl, , Community Member
Mr. Mike Pearl, , Community Member
Miss Nicole Rimmer, Community member,
Miss Jacqui Rogers, disability pensioner, independent journalist
Ms. Madeleine Ruskin, Community Member,
Ms. Sue Saliba, Writer, Self employed
Ms. Emily Schultz, Community member,
Mrs. Jacqui Sneddon, Retired, Retired
Ms. Burnice Starkey, Retired,
Mr. Robert Turton, Senior Firefighter, SA Metropolitan Fire Service
Ms. Ann Victory, Retired, N/A
Ms. Joyclyn Vincent, Community member,
Ms. Erica Wagner, Artist and publishing consultant,
Ms. Debra Warland, Full time carer, Not Applicable
Mrs. Dee White, Author,
Mrs. Terry Wightman, Private citizen, retired,
Mr. Neil Wood, Retired,
Ms. Christine Bowden, Music Teacher/professional singer,
Ms. Mirranda Burton, Teacher, Collarts
Ms. Lucinda Crimson, Secondary Teacher, Private school, WA

Local government

Ms. Arabella Daniel, Councillor and Clean Air Advocate, Glen Eira City Council
Dr. Dorothy Robinson, Councillor, Armidale Regional Council

NFP sector

Mr. Bryan Jepsen, President, Indoor Air Quality Association Australia
Ms. Anne Wilson, CEO, Emerge Australia

Unions

Mr. Seán Marshall, WHS Officer, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union NSW/ACT Branch
Mr. Martin Raspin, AMWU National Campaign Organiser, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union