The Albanese government has appointed Zoe Wainer as the inaugural director-general of the new Australian Centre for Disease Control (ACDC), set to commence operations on January 1. Health Minister Mark Butler announced the decision on Tuesday, highlighting Wainer’s extensive background in public health.
Professor Wainer brings over two decades of leadership experience from various sectors, including government, healthcare, academia, and global health. Currently serving as the deputy secretary for community and public health in the Victorian health department, she has played a pivotal role in managing communicable disease control and public health networks.
Her academic qualifications are impressive, holding a PhD and a Master of Public Health from the University of Melbourne. She also serves as an enterprise professor at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and is a principal investigator at The George Institute for Global Health. Wainer’s medical background includes training in cardiothoracic surgery and thoracic surgical oncology.
Wainer’s Leadership Experience and Vision
Mark Butler’s office praised Wainer as “a highly regarded academic and policy leader.” Her focus on scientific rigor, operational excellence, and continuous improvement will be essential in establishing a trusted and effective ACDC.
The new centre, located at Aviation House in Woden, ACT, aims to enhance Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics. The Australian Medical Association (AMA), which advocated for the establishment of the ACDC, welcomed the appointment.
“The credibility of the ACDC will depend on strong clinical and scientific leadership,” said AMA Vice President Julian Rait. He emphasized that Wainer’s extensive experience, particularly her role in overseeing Victoria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, makes her an ideal candidate for the position.
Rait also noted her significant contributions to reforms in environmental and women’s health, underscoring her expertise in managing health crises. The AMA’s advocacy for the ACDC emphasizes the need for a dedicated focus on communicable disease threats, global health surveillance, and epidemiology.
Transition and Future Plans
As Wainer prepares to assume her role on March 1, Paul McCormack will serve as the Acting Director-General, guiding the agency through its initial operational phase. McCormack’s leadership will ensure continuity and stability as the centre gears up to address pressing health challenges.
The establishment of the ACDC represents a significant step forward for Australia in strengthening its public health infrastructure and response capabilities. With Wainer at the helm, there is optimism about the centre’s potential to enhance national health security and improve outcomes in public health management.
As the ACDC prepares to launch, stakeholders across the health sector are keenly observing how this new leadership will reshape the landscape of disease control and prevention in Australia.
