Thoracic Society activity update
TSANZ Strategic Plan 2021-26. Goal 5.1 – The TSANZ will advocate both independently and in partnership to achieve improved respiratory health and research outcomes. Our advocacy is evidence-based, independent and robust. Advocacy is a key part of what we do in Australia and New Zealand.
The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is an active leader in advocating for lung health. We provide evidence-based policy and advice in the field of respiratory medicine and related areas. Our purpose is to promote the highest standards of patient care; develop and apply knowledge about respiratory health and disease and promote the highest quality air standards. We will collaborate with all national organisations whose objects are to improve the wellbeing of individuals affected by respiratory conditions and to promote better lung health for the community.
In recent years we have provided solicited and open consultation advice to the Australian and New Zealand federal governments, state and territory government bodies, organisations, and agencies. We remain committed to improving the lung health for all Australians and New Zealanders. The Society participates in advocacy projects which are driven by our membership and our aim to improve the standard and care of lung health. The content of our submissions is evidence-driven and underpinned by member involvement.
The Society also proactively advocates for better lung health by engaging with policy makers and the public through media releases, op-eds, participating in interviews, and letters to Ministers and other MPs.
Recent advocacy items are detailed below in reverse chronological order.
advocacy@thoracic.org.au or +61 2 9222 62006
List of Advocacy Items
New Policy Releases
| 25-Aug-26 | TSANZ’s Proposal for PBS Self-Declaration | Australian Government | Policy proposal: PBS Medicines Supply Chain Self-Reporting Proposal |
2026 Advocacy Items
| 25-Aug-2026 | Press Release: TSANZ calls for disclosure of tobacco and vaping industry interests in publicly funded medicines | Australian Media |
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| 25-Jun-26 | Press release: New national guidance to support doctors assessing workers exposed to silica dus | Australian Media |
New Guidance Aids Doctors Assessing Silica Exposure (Mirage News) New national guidance supports earlier detection of silica-related lung disease (Building Connection) New national guidance supports earlier detection of silica-related lung disease (Electrical Connection) New national guidance supports earlier detection of silica-related lung disease (Plumbing Connection) |
| 18-Jun-26 | Press release: The world’s leading interventional pulmonology congress comes to Melbourne to mark 130 years of bronchoscopy | Australian Media |
Top interventional pulmonology conference hits Melbourne (Mirage News) World Congress hits Australia (Pharma in Focus) |
| 18-May-26 | Press release: Health bodies unite to expose big tobacco’s push for tax cuts that would reverse 25 years of progress | Australian Media |
Open letter calls for transparency on tobacco industry interference in public policy (Croakey Health Media) Health groups unite to attack tobacco industry’s ‘dog whistling’ over cigarette excise (Region) Health Groups Challenge Tobacco Tax Cut Push (Mirage News) Unmasking Big Tobacco: An Open Letter to Australians (Quit) Unmasking Big Tobacco: An Open Letter to Australians (ACOSH) |
| 05-May-26 | Press release: Thoracic Society concerned by Senate inquiry’s secret Big Tobacco meeting | International |
Secret Big Tobacco hearings will be released eventually… redacted: Blyth (The Medical Republic) Philip Morris gives secret evidence to Senate inquiry (The Limbic) |
| 23-Apr-26 | Press release: New spirometry standards aim to support more accurate respiratory disease diagnosis in primary care | Australian Media |
New TSANZ spirometry standards: does your provider meet all three? (Mobile Screening) New spirometry standards released (Medicine Today) |
| 20-Apr-26 | Medicare funding for BLVR valves advances after TSANZ push | International | The Limbic |
| 04-Apr-26 | Spirometry in primary care: Three common cases where quality changes the diagnosis | Australian Media | Healthed |
| 31-Mar-26 | Press release: TSANZSRS 2026 honours excellence in respiratory research and leadership | International | |
| 29-Mar-26 | Press release: TSANZ Announces 2026 Board Composition | International | |
| 28-Mar-26 | Press release: Global Respiratory Experts Gather in Perth for TSANZSRS 2026 | International | |
| 27-Mar-26 | Press release: Emerging respiratory research and investigators at TSANZSRS 2026 | International | |
| 16-Mar-26 | Press release: Respiratory Health Priorities Spotlighted at TSANZSRS ASM 2026 | International | |
| 16-Mar-26 | Press release: Australian workers exposed to unsafe chemicals | Australian Media |
Doctors want better protection for workers exposed to workplace chemicals labelled ‘silent killers’ (ABC) Health experts warn ministers over delayed safety limits for toxic chemicals (The Australian) Outrage at delays over toxic chemicals (The Australian) Chemical exposure limits put on hold despite Safe Work Australia advice (ABC) |
| 02-Mar-26 | Press release: Women in respiratory leadership take centre stage at TSANZSRS 2026 | International | |
| 27-Feb-26 | Press release: Future respiratory workforce in focus: TSANZSRS ASM 2026 Postgraduate Workshops | International | |
| 26-Feb-26 | Press release: TSANZSRS ASM 2026 Gathers Global Experts in Perth | International | Melbourne Insider |
2025 Advocacy Items
| 26-Sep-2025 | Submission: TSANZ response to the draft National Medical Research Strategy | Australian Government | Australian Government |
| 26-Sep-2025 | Submission: CDC Bill 2025 | Australian Government | The Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025 |
| 19-Aug-25 | Press Release: Lives compromised, cut short as Australia fails to fully fund respiratory research | Australian Media | Press |
| 01-Aug-25 | Discussion on smoking and vapes Australian, enforcement, cessation, and recent TSANZ Vaping Cessation paper. | Australian Media | Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal |
| 31-Jul-25 | Respiratory Nurses Seek Formal Status | International Media | The Limbic |
| 31-Jul-25 | Respiratory research gets just 2% of funding despite disease burden | International Media | The Limbic |
| 25-Jul-2025 | Media Release: Respiratory Nurses: Critical Link to Patient Lung Health – TSANZ Releases Key Position Statement | International Media | |
| 18-Jul-2025 | Media Release: Investing in Global Lung Health: Thoracic Society Backs Call to Tackle Underfunding in Respiratory Research Worldwide | Australian Media | |
| 17-Jul-25 | Respiratory Practice Review Issue 25 featuring LCWP Nodule paper | Australian Media | Research Review |
| 16-Jul-25 | Bridging the COPD Care Gap Within Reach | International Media | Allergy and Respiratory Republic |
| 08-Jul-25 | TSANZ issues new guidance for lung nodule management | International Media | The Limbic |
| 08-Jul-25 | Respiratory Nurse Leadership Requires Increased Profile, Role Clarity and Stronger Career Pathways: Binational Delphi Consensus Process and TSANZ Position Statement | International Media | |
| 01-Jul-25 | Prof Fraser Brims discussing the National Lung Cancer Screening Program | International Media | Medical Forum |
| 01-Jul-25 | World Bronchiectasis Day: TSANZ bronchiectasis articles and educational resources | Australian Media | |
| 28-Jun-25 | Educational series: Epithelial Era | Australian Media | Research Review |
| 27-Jun-25 | Calls to improve diagnosis and treatment for people with chronic lung disease | Australian Media | Croakey Health Media |
| 26-Jun-25 | Newsletter featuring Vaping Cessation paper | Australian Media | Quit Centre |
| 25-Jun-25 | Spirometry tracking of tunnelling workers | Australian Media | MedPass |
| 20-Jun-25 | 2024 Review of the Dust Diseases Scheme: TSANZ consultation | NSW Parliament | NSW Parliament |
| 18-Jun-25 | TSANZ Dust Diseases Project update | Australian Government | Interim CDC |
| 17-Jun-25 | Vaping Cessation paper and the Quit Centre | Australian Media | Quit Centre |
| 16-Jun-25 | Poster abstract at the 2025 ASM | Australian Media | Respiratory Rehab Australia |
| 12-Jun-25 | The Logic of Neutrality in the Indo-Pacific: TSANZ CEO Vincent So op-ed | Australian Media | RealClear |
| 11-Jun-25 | TSANZ unveils new vaping cessation guidance | International Media | Dermatology Republic |
| 10-Jun-25 | TSANZ unveils new vaping cessation guidance | International Media | Medical Republic |
| 08-Jun-25 | TSANZ member Prof Michael Abramson acheivements/King’s Birthday Honours | Australian Media | J-Wire |
| 05-Jun-25 | Press release for the publication of TSANZ Practical Guide on the Management of Screen- and Incidentally Detected Nodules | International Media | Press Release |
| 04-Jun-25 | Update featuring recent Vaping Cessation paper | Australian Media | Allergy and Respiratory Republic |
| 03-Jun-25 | Medical education featuring recent TSANZ nodule management paper | International Media | Radiopaedia |
| 03-Jun-25 | Vaping Industry Association of NZ discussing RNZ smoking rates piece | New Zealand Media | VIANZ |
| 03-Jun-25 | Article discussing Vaping Cessation paper and NZ smoking rates | New Zealand Media | Oncology News |
| 03-Jun-25 | Smoking rates plateau bucking downward trend, latest survey figures show | New Zealand Media | NZ Radio National |
| 03-Jun-25 | Article discussing Vaping Cessation paper | Australian Media | Oncology News |
| 31-May-25 | World No Tobacco Day and Smokefree 2025: NZ’s Smokefree ambition at risk as smoking rate reductions stall post-repeal | New Zealand Media | RACP/TSANZ |
| 31-May-25 | NZ’s Smokefree ambition at risk as smoking rate reductions stall post-repeal | New Zealand Media | RACP |
| 30-May-25 | Media Release: Unmasking the appeal: TSANZ releases new vaping cessation guidance for health professionals on World No Tobacco Day | International Media |
2SM Sydney Nine |
| 08-May-25 | Consultation: PHARMAC’s proposal to improve access to budesonide with eformoterol inhalers | NZ Government | PHARMAC |
| 02-May-25 | TSANZ Opposes Coalition Vaping Reform Reversal | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 30-Apr-25 | RANZCR Webinar: Additional findings in the NLCSP webinar | Australian Media | RANZCR |
| 29-Apr-25 | Resource accompanying 2024 ACSQHC COPD handbook and TSANZ oxygen safety resources | Australian Government | ACSQHC |
| 28-Apr-25 | Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand clinical practice guideline on adult home oxygen therapy | International Media | ECRI Guideline Trust |
| 24-Apr-25 | PBS Could Become a Brutal Jungle | Australian Media | Pharma In Focus |
| 22-Apr-25 | Landscape Fires: Michael Abramson grand rounds | International | Icahn School of Medicine |
| 22-Apr-25 | Professor Vanessa McDonald named LFA Lung Health Legend at TSANZSRS2025 | Australian Media | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
| 18-Apr-25 | In Trump’s New Order, Australia Must Fight for Affordable Medicines | Australian Media | |
| 17-Apr-25 | Why Pharma Can’t Sit on the Fence | Australian Media | Pharma In Focus |
| 11-Apr-25 | Could Trump’s Tarrifs De-couple Europe from China, Too? | Australian Media | AFR |
| 02-Apr-25 | Resource Launched to Help Sites Prepare for the Historic Launch of the Australian National Lung Cancer Screening Program | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 01-Apr-25 | Workforce, Indigenous health new targets for TSANZ | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 01-Apr-25 | Managing NLCSP referrals: Is your service ready? | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 31-Mar-25 | Consultation: Public Consulation – Engineered Stone Ban | Australian Government | SafeWork Australia |
| 25-Mar-25 | 2025 Asthma and Airways Career Development Fellowship | Australian Media | NAC |
| 25-Mar-25 | Peter Van Asperen Career Development Grant awared to Dr Gabriela Martins Costa Gomes | Australian Media | Asthma Australia |
| 25-Mar-25 | Respiratory audit program will drive improvement | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 25-Mar-25 | Occupational COPD diagnosis: ‘We need to do better’ | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 25-Mar-25 | Top researchers recognised for respiratory research | Australian Media | The Kids Research Institute Australia |
| 25-Mar-25 | Top Lung Health Experts are Honoured at Prestigious Scientific Conference | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 25-Mar-25 | Four tips on making greener choices in chronic lung disease | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 23-Mar-25 | Celebrating Excellence in Respiratory Research at TSANZSRS 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 22-Mar-25 | TSANZ Announces its New Board | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 19-Mar-25 | TSANZSRS ASM: Shaping the Future of Lung Health | Australian Media | |
| 18-Mar-25 | Cheisi Women in Leadership Panel at the TSANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 17-Mar-25 | Consultation: Work with Engineered Stone and Materials with Crystalline Silica | New Zealand Government | WorkSafe NZ |
| 10-Mar-25 | What to expect from the TSANZ 2025 conference | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 08-Mar-25 | Highlighting TSANZ commitment to diversity for International Women’s Day | International | Media Release |
| 05-Mar-25 | Industry body overhauls finances | Australian Media | Pharma in Focus |
| 05-Mar-25 | TSANZ stands firm on APSR membership dispute | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 21-Feb-25 | National Lung Cancer Screening Program site checklist | Australian Media | NLCSP Checklist |
| 20-Feb-25 | National Lung Cancer Screening Program Additional Findings Document | Australian Media | RANZCR |
| 04-Feb-25 | The respiratory meetings that will shape practice in 2025 | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 30-Jan-25 | Molecular testing of lung cancer in Australia: consensus best practice recommendations | Australian Media | RCPA |
| 26-Jan-25 | Respiratory doctor recognised in Australia Day Honours | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 16-Jan-25 | Respiratory Lab Accreditation | Australian Media | NATA |
| 08-Jan-25 | Why Sydney tunnel workers remain at severe risk from toxic dust | Australian Media | |
| 01-Jan-25 | Improving COPD diagnosis, care outcomes | Australian Media | Australian Hospital and Healthcare Bulletin |
2024 Advocacy Items
| 12-Dec-24 | Rural doctors receive a boost to their career development | Australian Media | Monash University |
| 10-Dec-24 | Research round up discussing TSANZ paper Environmental impact of inhaled medicines | Australian Media | AJP |
| 30-Nov-24 | Inhaler fears signal shift in asthma care | Australian Media | The Australian |
| 30-Nov-24 | Environmental concerns cited: Inhaler fears signal shift in asthma care | Australian Media | The Weekend Australian |
| 20-Nov-24 | Inhaler greenhouse gases can’t be ignored in this climate | Australian Media | Allergy & Respiratory Republic |
| 19-Nov-24 | TSANZ weights in on ‘green inhaler’ push with position statement | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 18-Nov-24 | Bronchiectasis study calls for treatment change | New Zealand Media | NZ Doctor |
| 09-Nov-24 | Common Breathing Symptoms You Should Never Ignore | Australian Media | Body + Soul |
| 21-Oct-24 | New COPD standard could boost market | Australian Media | Pharma in Focus |
| 17-Oct-24 | COPD standard puts inappropriate antibiotic use in the crosshairs | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 17-Oct-24 | COPD Clinical Care Standard stresses non-drug options | Australian Media | Medical Republic |
| 17- Oct-24 | First ever COPD Clinical Care Standard launched | Australian Media | RACGP News GP |
| 17-Oct-24 | New COPD guideline for doctors | Australian Media | Medical Forum |
| 17-Oct-24 | New COPD standard to improve diagosis, care outcomes | Australian Media | Hospital Health |
| 17-Oct-24 | This lung disease affects one in 13 Aussies over 40, but only half know they have it | Australian Media | Channel 9 News |
| 17-Oct-24 |
New standard to tackle chronic lung disease missed in half of patients |
Australian Media | Cairns Post
Geelong Advertiser Townsville Bulletin Tasmanian Mercury Gold Coast- Australia Northern Territory News Herald Sun |
| 17-Oct-24 |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease CCS Campaign |
Australian Media | Australian Comission on Safety and Quality in Health Care |
| 17-Oct-24 |
COPD Australia: John was given 18 months to live, 20 years later this is his advice |
Australian Media | The SMH |
| 16-Oct-24 |
Chronic Lung Disease Missed in Half of All Patients |
Australian Media | Australian Senior News |
| 11-Oct-24 |
Updated guide to help patients understand out-of-pocket medical costs |
Australian Media | AMA |
| 07-Oct-24 |
Consultation: Funding of treatments for lung cancer, COPD, and RSV prevention |
New Zealand Government | PHARMAC |
| 04-Oct-24 | Consultation: 2024 Review of the Dust Diseases Scheme. Policy submission and evidence given in public hearing. | New South Wales State Government | NSW Law and Justice Committee |
| 02-Oct-24 | Consultation: TSANZ Response to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) | New Zealand Government | New Zealand Ministry of Health |
| 01-Oct-24 |
Prof. Mathew Peters radio interview discussing e-cigarette prescriptions vs pharmacist dispensing |
Australian Media | ABC Radio Melbourne
ABC Radio North West QLD ABC Radio Western QLD |
| 30-Sep-24 |
The proposed sale of Vectura by Philip Morris International: what it means for Australia’s respiratory health |
Australian Media | MJA InSight+ |
| 20-Sep-24 | PMI Sale of Vectura Group | Australian Media | 6PR Mornings, 6PR Nightshift
2SM, 2BS, Triple Z |
| 20-Sept-24 | Media Release: Health sector responds to tobacco giant’s sale of asthma inhaler company | Australian Media | NewsHub |
| 19-Sep-24 | Lung health group advocacy wins as Big Tobacco abandons inhaler venture | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 18-Sep-24 | Calls for a faster pharmaceutical Scheme | Australian Media | ABC Radio
ABC Radio Canberra |
| 18-Sep-24 | Calls for a faster pharmaceutical Scheme | Australian Media | Radio National Canberra |
| 11-Sep-24 | Watch out for hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae | Australian Media | Allergy & Respiratory Republic |
| 09-Sep-24 | The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) joined with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) in criticising the acquisition of medicine and vape manufacturer Vectura by tobacco giant Philip Morris International. | Australian Media | Croakey |
| 03-Sept-24 | Keep Big Tobacco and Big Opiods Out of the Health Sector | Australian Media | The Medical Republic |
| 02-Sept-24 | Media Release: Health Sector Condemns Big Tobacco’s Stealth Takeover of Medicines | Australian Media | NewsHub |
| 22-Aug-24 | Taufa’s vision for improved treatment for respiratory illnesses | International Media | The National |
| 26-Jul-24 | Submission: Proposal to increase access to five medicines for cancer and other health conditions | New Zealand Government | PHARMAC |
| 22-Jul-24 | TSANZ releases new guidance on home oxygen therapy | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 10-July-24 | Media Release: TSANZ backs inhaler boycott over big tobacco | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 08-July-24 | Mundi faces HCP tobacco boycott 10.7.24 am | Australian Media | Pharma in Focus |
| 26-June-24 | Media Release: Lung Specialists Urge Immediate Passage of E-Cigarette Reforms Following Senate Debates | Australian Media | 2SM Radio |
| 25-Jun-24 | Vaping Legislation wins support from lung health experts | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 10-Jun-24 | King’s Birthday Honours: Pro Jo Douglass Award AO | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 01-June-24 | Vapes of Wrath | Australian Media | The Saturday Paper |
| 29-May-24 | Joint Media Release: Two Million Health Professionals and Parents Band Together to Back Vaping Reforms Bill | Australian Media | Oncology News |
| 29-May-24 | Food Allergy Award to TSANZ Member | Australian Media | Mirage News |
| 28-May-24 | Silicosis registry goes live: reporting data now mandatory | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 09-May-24 | ACOSH Open Letter on to Federal Parliament on Vaping Reforms | Australian Media | Federal Politicians urged to pass Vaping Reforms Bill |
| 09-May-24 | Joint Statement on Asbestos National Strategic Plan | Australian Media | Joint statement on Asbestos National Strategic Plan |
| 02-May-24 | Editorial: Protecting our Planet for Future Generations: the Duty of Care in Climate Action | Australian Media | Australian Health and Aged Care |
| 01-May-24 | Public hearing: Vaping Reforms Bill | Australian Government | APH |
| 25-Apr-24 | Young People Speak Out on the Harms of Vaping as Health Experts Pile Pressure on the Senate | Australian Media | Croakey Health Media |
| 22-Apr-24 | A third of asthma patients are using OCS at toxic doses | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 19-Apr-24 | Consultation: Senate Inquiry into the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 | Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee | Submission response |
| 15-Apr-24 | Draft National Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) Framework, Lung Cancer Screening | Cancer Australia | Submission Response |
| 08-Apr-24 | Use of PROMs in ILD: not yet perfect but important | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 08-Apr-24 | Patients relieved by Respiratory Rapid Access Service | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 08-Apr-24 | Therapy for NTM infections has to move beyond antibiotics | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 08-Apr-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: What are the potential mechanisms for pre-COPD (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 08-Apr-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: ‘Precision’ use of CFTR modulators (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 02-Apr-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Blood eosinophil-guided treatment of COPD: the STARR2 studey (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 02-Apr-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Prof. Christine Jenkins: a resoruce for discussions about breathlessness (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 02-Apr-24 | Bronchiectasis in Indigenous Australians the worst in the world | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 02-Apr-24 | Vaping: call to action amid new evidence of harm | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 02-Apr-24 | Multidisciplinary PE response teams streamline care | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 02-Apr-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Prof Christine McDonald: e-cigarette effects on lung (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 27-Mar-24 | The allergy-asthma-anaphylaxis triple whammy | Australian Media | Allergy & Respiratory Republic |
| 26-Mar-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Using inhaler technology to predict asthma attacks (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 26-Mar-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Keeping hope alive for people not on CFTR modulators (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 26-Mar-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Prof. Kwun Fong on genomics, proteomics and novel biomarkers in lung cancer (video) | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 26-Mar-24 | Climate change impacts on respiratory health: professional responses needed | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 26-Mar-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Nutrition care for CF patients needs to junk the legacy diet | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 26-Mar-24 | TSANZSRS 2024: Short telomeres in ILD not impacting transplant outcomes | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 25-Mar-24 | Media Release: Honoring Top Trans-tasman Lung Health Experts | Australian Media | Hospital and Healthcare |
| 25-Mar-24 | E-cigarette interview with Prof Matthew Peters | Australian Media | Triple M Radio |
| 23-Mar-24 | E-cigarette interview with A/Prof Henry Marshall | Australian Media | ABC Gold Coast |
| 23-Mar-24 | Media Release: Lung Specialists support e-cigarette reforms, as new research reveals e-cigarettes link to lung cancer | Australian Media | Triple M Radio |
| 23-Mar-24 | Media Release: Lung Expert Award Winners Celebrated at Annual Scientific Conference | Australian Media | Triple M Radio |
| 19-Mar-24 | Media Release: The Countdown is on for the Gold Coast Scientific Meeting | International Media | Station 2SM |
| 18-Mar-24 | Six reasons miners should care about silicosis | Australian Media | Mining |
| 15-Mar-24 | Consultation: Feedback on MBS item descriptors for NLCSP | MSAC | Submission response submitted |
| 12-Mar-24 | Media Release: Major gaps in lung cancer services across Australia and New Zealand study | Australian Media | Media release |
| 12-Mar-24 | Letitia Harding, discussing TSANZ President’s Award and the dangers of vaping | New Zealand Media | Auckland Radio Station: Waatea-Paakiwaha |
| 11-Mar-24 | Sun shines on innovation at TSANZ 2024 ASM on the Gold Coast | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 11-Mar-24 | Media Release: Lung Health Experts Call on the Government to Partner on Smokefree Strategy | New Zealand Media | Live News |
| 06-Mar-24 | Consultation: Proposed new requirements for therapeutic vaping devices and accessories | TGA | Submission response submitted |
| 04-Mar-24 | TSANZ and LFA 2023 landscape survey of lung cancer care across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand | International Media | Physcians Weekly |
| 29-Feb-24 | Consultation: PHARMAC respiratory treatment funding | New Zealand Government | PHARMAC |
| 15-Feb-24 | Prof Deborah Yates discusses silicosis related to gold mining | Australian Media | ABC Central West NSW Radio
ABC Western Plains NSW Radio |
| 13-Feb-24 | Op-ed: Could your child be addicted to vaping | New Zealand Media | Kiwi Families |
| 13-Feb-24 | Media Release: TSANZ announces President-elect and Board election results | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 6-Feb-24 | TSANZ: No need for therapeutic nihilism in CSLD/bronchiectasis | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 05-Feb-24 | Targeted lung health strategies need in the Top End | Australian Media | MJA via Scimex |
| 01-Feb-24 | New TSANZ position on management of IPF/PPF | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 26-Jan-24 | Leitia Harding, winner of TSANZ Presidents Award, discusses dangers of vaping | New Zealand Media | Urban Maori Radio 603 |
| 24-Jan-24 | RNZ radio interview: Australia to ban engineered stone due to silicosis risk for workers: Should NZ follow suit? | New Zealand Media | Radio New Zealand interview |
| 23-Jan-24 | Policy Submission: Mepolizumab (Nucala) streamlined access and eligibility requirements | Australian Government | PBAC |
| 19-Jan-24 | The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Australia bans engineered stone to prevent silicosis | International Media | The Lancet |
| 16-Jan-24 | COVID Vaccination: Simple New Years Resolution to Save Lives | Australian Media | Joint Press Release |
2023 Advocacy Items
| Date | Advocacy item title | Recipient (s) | Complete item |
| 13-Dec-23 | Media Release: Thoracic Society celebrates engineered stone ban win after years of hard work | Australian Media | TSANZ Media Release |
| 9-Dec-23 | ERS COP28 joint society statement on climate change | COP28 leaders and forum | Climate change and health: a joint statement |
| 6-Dec-23 | Consultation: Inquiry into the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023 | Australian Senate’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee | Submission response |
| 6-Dec-23 | Co-signed letter: Open letter to the incoming government | New Zealand government | Health Coalition Aotearoa open letter |
| 28-Nov-23 | Joint media release: Health professionals condemn changes to smoking and vaping laws | New Zealand media | Newshub TV |
| 22-Nov-23 | Consultation: ANMAC Registered Nurse Prescribing Accreditation Standards | Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council | Submission response sent |
| 15-Nov-23 | TSANZ CEO Interview: ABC NewsRadio – banning engineered stone | Australian Media | Interview with ABC NewsRadio |
| 14-Nov-23 | Co-signed letter (TSANZ, Senators and MPs) on the Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone | Employment and Workplace Relations, WorkSafe, and Industrial Relations Ministers | Sent to Ministers and MPs |
| 30-Oct-23 | Inquiry into e-cigarette regulation and compliance in NSW | NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety | Submission response sent |
| 27-Oct-23 | Joint media release: Leading health experts back calls to ban the use of all engineered stone products | Australian media | ACTU joint media release |
| 05-Oct-23 | Senate Inquiry into the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023 and Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023. | Australian Community Affairs Legislation Committee | Submission response |
| 22-Sept-23 | Response to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Proposed Reforms to the Regulation of Vapes. | Australian TGA | Submission response |
| 14-Sept-23 | Media Release: Thoracic Society supports pre-election promises to build the New Zealand health workforce | New Zealand Media | Scoop Health |
| 11-Sept-23 | SMH Feature: Federal government under pressure to release Safe Work’s benchtop ban report | Australian Media | Sydney Morning Herald |
| 11-Sept-23 | Op-ed: Dust disease registry must not punish doctors | Australian Media | The Limbic |
| 11-Sept-23 | Joint media release: NSW Govt Urged: Don’t Charge Us for Eraring’, Say Health Workers, Consumers | Australian Media | The National Tribune |
| 11-Sept-23 | Open letter to the NSW Premier Minns: Eraring | Australian Premier | Sent to NSW Premier |
| 29-Aug-23 | Op-ed: The reasons lung-health experts want engineered stone banned | New Zealand Media | The Post |
| 24-Aug-23 | Media Release: The next government has a once in a generation opportunity to crack-down on e-cigarettes | New Zealand Media | NZ Doctor |
| 16-Aug-23 | Response to the Senate’s Legislative Committee Inquiry into the 2023 respiratory disease registry bills | The Senate’s Standing Committee on Community Affairs – Legislative Committee | Submission response |
| 24-Jul-23 | National Health and Climate Strategy | Australian Department of Health | Submission response |
| 21-Jul-23 | Improving alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account | Australian Department of Health | Submission response |
| 13-Jul-23 | Public Health (Tobacco and other Products) Legislation 2023 | Australian Department of Health | Response under consideration |
| 11-Jul-23 | ICCR Draft Tumours of the Lung – Small Diagnostic and Cytopathological Specimens dataset | International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting | Submission response |
| 11-Jul-23 | MSAC Application: Amendment to MBS Item Number 11512 to include Portable Home Spirometry via Telehealth | MSAC | Response under consideration |
| 26-Jun-23 | Proposal to clarify how nicotine levels for vaping products are expressed in the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Regulations 2021 | New Zealand – Manatū Houora | Submission response sent |
| 22-Jun-23 | Media Release: Steps Towards Stopping Silicosis – Thoracic Society welcomes National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill 2023 | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 08-Jun-23 | Media Release: Thoracic Society supports the New Zealand governments new stance on e-cigarettes | New Zealand Media | NZ Doctor |
| 30-May-23 | Joint Media Release: Call for a ban of disposable vaping products in New Zealand | New Zealand Media | NewsHub |
| 29-May-23 | Op-ed: Ban these e-cigarettes for the good of the environment and your lungs | Australian & New Zealand Media | In Touch Public Health – PHA Australia
The Post The Press |
| 17-May-23 | Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension | New Zealand – PHARMAC | Submission response |
| 12-May-23 | Media Release: Budget Highlight 2023-2024 – Achievements for Lung Health | Australian Media | Media release |
| 05-May-23 | Joint Submission: Vaping – an inquiry into reducing rates of e-cigarette use in Queensland | Queensland Government | Submission response |
| 04-May-23 | Media Release: Thoracic Society support National Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Program | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 02-May-23 | Media Release: Minister Butler’s e-cigarette reforms will protect generations of Australians from nicotine addiction | Australian Media | Media Release |
| 16-Apr-23 | Joint Response (TSANZ, RACP, AFOEM): Public consultation on the prohibition on the use of engineered stone | Safe Work Australia | Submission response |
| 31-Mar-23 | Joint Response (TSANZ, LFA, AA, PHAA, HF, AMAQ): Inquiry into the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2023 | Health and Environment Committee | Submission response sent |
| 24-Mar-23 | National Silicosis Prevention Strategy | Australian Department of Health | Submission Response sent |
| 14-Mar-23 | Submission Response: NZ Smokefree Environments Regulations | New Zealand – Manatū Houora | Submission response sent |
| 14-Feb-23 | Joint response (LFA, AA, PHAA, and the Heart Foundation): Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2023 | Queensland Health | Submission response sent |
| 16-Jan-23 | Proposed reforms to the regulation of nicotine vaping products | TGA | Submission response sent |
| 13-Jan-23 | Proposal to fund two new treatments for people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer | New Zealand – PHARMAC | Submission response sent |
| 13-Jan-23 | Consultation on the 2023-2024 Federal Pre-Budget Submission Recommendations | RACP | Submission response sent |
2022 Submissions
| Date |
Name of Consultation |
Agency | Status |
| 16-Dec-22 | Australian Cancer Plan | Cancer Australia | Complete |
| 13-Dec-22 | Joint submission with RACP and AFOEM on the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry (NORDR) Bill | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care | Complete |
| 09-Dec-22 | Role and function of an Australian Centre for Disease Control | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care | Complete |
| 05-Dec-22 | Media Release: A survey of adult respiratory and sleep services in Aotearoa New Zealand: inequities in the provision of adult respiratory and sleep services | Media Release | Sent |
| 02-Dec-22 | Discussion Paper for National Health and Climate Strategy | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care | Complete |
| 25-Nov-22 | Joint submission with ANZSRS on the revised National Dust Disease Guidelines | Resources Safety and Health Queensland | Complete |
| 21-Nov-22 | Consultation on changes to the Energy Charter for Life Support Customers | RACP | Complete |
| 18-Nov-22 | Consultation on the funding of oral vinorelbine for the treatment of various cancers | PHARMAC | Complete |
| 08-Nov-22 | Consultation on the Draft Biotoxins (indoor damp and mould) Clinical Pathway | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care | Complete |
| 12-Oct-22 | National Health Literacy Strategy Framework Consultation | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care | Complete |
| 26-Oct-22 | NSW Policy Platform | Nature Conservation Council of NSW | Air Pollution Policy endorsed |
| 25-Aug-22 | Joint Statement – Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica | Australian Council of Trade Unions | Complete – submission |
| 30-Aug-22 | e-Cigarette Policy Paper | Cancer Council | Paper endorsed |
| 16-Aug-22 | Letter – Clean Energy for Health: VIC | Healthy Futures | Letter signed |
| 15-Aug-22 | ICEG: Hierarchy of Controls for minimising respiratory disease transmission | Infection Prevention and Control Expert Group (ICEG) | Complete – submission |
| 10-Aug-22 | Joint submission with RACP on Regulation Impact Statement: Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica at Work | Safe Work Australia | Complete – submission |
| 15-Jul-22 | Telehealth Expansion Survey | Australian National Audit Office | Complete – submission |
| 08-Jul-22 | MSAC 1712 – Out of laboratory sleep studies in the diagnosis and management of sleep disordered breathing in children and adolescents | MSAC | Complete |
| 24-Jun-22 | TSANZ Response to NHMRC CEO Statement on e-Cigarettes | NHMRC | Complete |
| 03-Jun-22 | Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2022 | NSW Environment Protection Authority | Complete – submission |
| 23-May-22 | ANZCA PS09 Guidelines | ANZCA | Complete |
| 13-May-22 | Call for clean energy by 2030 to protect health | RACP | Letter supported |
| 13-May-22 | Letter to AGL Shareholders | Healthy Futures | Letter supported |
| 28-Mar-22 | Proposal for a priority review pathway for biologicals | TGA | Complete – submission |
| 24-Mar-22 | National Tobacco Strategy | Australian Department of Health | Complete – submission |
| 15-Mar-22 | Proposal to widen access to influenza vaccine | PHARMAC | Complete – submission |
| 16-Mar-22 | Commentary: Philip Morris International buys inhaler company Vectura to expand reach in electronic cigarettes. | Respirology and International Media |
Published in Respirology |
| 04-Mar-22 | The Australian Cancer Plan 2022-2023 | Cancer Australia | Complete – submission |
| 02-Mar-22 | Consultation on COVID-19 Treatments | PHARMAC | Complete – submission |
| 02-Mar-22 | National Medicines Policy Consultation | Australian Department of Health | Complete – submission |
| 15-Feb-22 | Statement by Respiratory Physicians – Supporting medical professionals to improve the diagnosis and management of workers affected by silicosis | RACP | Complete – Public Hearing |
| 11-Feb-22 | MSAC 1699 – National Lung Cancer Screening | MSAC | Complete – submission |
| 28-Jan-22 | Proposal to fund treatments for cancer and asthma | PHARMAC | Complete – submission |