“Australia Needs To Get Off Its Backside”: Demand For Inactivity Public Health Campaign
Following its successful 4-week ‘Fit for Office’ exercise challenge AUSactive, is calling on the government and the 28+ Federal MPs and Senators taking part to “step up and initiate as a matter of urgency a national physical activity strategy that goes beyond the existing, but token, 2021-2030 version”.
Pictured Above: left to right: Bridget Archer, Myzone CEO Emmett Williams, Susan McDonald (MP), AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish, Fiona Philips, Melissa McIntosh, Tammy Tyrell, Dr Andrew Leigh.
The non-profit is urging the MPs and government to develop a public preventive health campaign to tackle Australia’s mental health and inactivity crisis akin to ‘Slip Slop Slap’, which is one of the most successful health campaigns in Australia’s history.
“We’ve had Fit for Office run, cycle and walk, now it’s time to Walk the Talk. Exercise is the most cost-effective and best preventive health strategy for managing and/or mitigating poor physical and mental health conditions and we want a public health campaign to promote this” said AUSactive CEO, Barrie Elvish.
“Regular exercise can and does change and save lives, and a health campaign like Slip Slop Slap would be extremely effective. It is of the most successful health campaigns in Australia’s history, with data showing it was effective, with melanoma rates declining in those born in 1980″.
“We need to rebalance the health system; we need to invest more in prevention. Australia already has a strong and successful health system, but it is under strain and unsustainable in its present form. We need to ensure that there is an equally strong prevention system. It will not only save lives but save the economy billions now and forever”.
The federal government has given grants to organisations working in the chronic health sector, but Mr Elvish says they deal primarily with managing existing health problems, rather than preventing them in the first place.
“Fit for Office has highlighted the benefits of exercise and how it makes people feel, particularly for busy people showing how incremental exercise can easily fit into daily lives,” Elvish adds.
“Encouraging the routine of physical activity is Step 1. We want the government to make good on its 2018 commitment to the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and promote physical activity and exercise at a national level, including regional and remote areas, and at a community level, support it with amenities and programs”.
“It’s time to redress the rhetoric and start putting words into action”.
MPs taking part in the Fit for Office challenge include:
- Peter Dutton – Leader of the Opposition
- Senator David Pocock – former Wallabies Captain and the first Independent Senator for the ACT
- Hon Dr Andrew Leigh – Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Member for Fenner (ACT)
- Senator the Hon Anne Ruston – Shadow Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport and Member for Renmark (SA)
- Senator Malarndirri McCarthy – Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health (NT)
- Senator Dorinda Cox – Senator for WA and Greens Spokesperson on First Nations, Mining and Resources, Sport, Trade, Tourism
- Senator Tammy Tyrrell – Senator for Tasmania
- Kristy McBain – Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Member for Eden Monaro (NSW)
- Melissa McIntosh – Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Federal Member for Lindsay (NSW)
- Angie Bell – Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Shadow Minister forYouth and Member for Moncrieff (Gold Coast, Q’land)
- Dr Sophie Scamps – Member forMackellar (NSW)
- Allegra Spender – Member for Wentworth (NSW)
- Dr Helen Haines – Independent Member for Indi (Vic)
- Fiona Phillips – Member for Gilmore (NSW)
- Rebekha Sharkie – Federal Member for Mayo (SA)
- Ms Melissa Price – Opposition Whip, Member for Durack (WA)
- Ms Alison Byrnes – Member for Cunningham (NSW)
- Ms Bridget Archer – Member for Bass (TAS)
- Dr Zoe Daniel – Member for Goldstein (VIC)
- Ms Susan Templeman MP – Federal Member for Macquarie (NSW) and Special Envoy for the Arts
- Senator Susan McDonald – Senator for Queensland Liberal National Party of Queensland
- Andrew Wallace MP – Federal Member for Fisher Sunshine Coast
- Bridget McKenzie – Nationals Senator for Victoria Wodonga
- Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson – Shadow Minister for Education and a Liberal Senator for Victoria Geelong
- Dr Carina Garland – Federal Member for Chisholm (VIC)
- The Hon Angus Taylor, Shadow Treasurer and MP for Hume (NSW)
The pollies and their teams have been using MyZone heart rate monitors to track their physical activity. Results are recorded in real-time via a unique measurement called ‘Myzone Effort Points’ (MEPs), which uses heart rate data to quantify physical activity based on each person’s effort. The monitors show the pollies and their teams have burned 1,114,927 calories over 5823 hours.
The Fit for Office challengers is being graded among four categories:
- Top MP Point Earner
- Top Office Point Earner
- Top Office Point Average
- The most MPs and staff members reach the World Health Organisation Guidelines forPhysical Activity of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (or at least 75 minutes of moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity) per week.
Results as of Thursday, 19 October are:
Overall Active Challengers Total: 169
Workouts – 2,543
Duration – 6298 hrs
MEPs – 278,835
Calories burned – 1,257,091
Top MP MEP Earners
Andrew Leigh MP
Angus Taylor MP
Fiona Phillips MP
Top Office MEP Earner
Scott Burgess – (Angie Bell MP Office)
Top Office MEP Average- with 4 or more office participants
Angie Bell MP
Top Office Highest Total MEPs
Dr Helen Haines MP
Please login with linkedin to comment
Latest News
‘Blair Is Mr Happy, Beau Is Mr Dopey, I’m Mr Grumpy’ – Top Gear Australia Hosts Reveal What It Was Really Like Filming
Top Gear features the cars you could never afford to drive. It's a bit like the bogan's Gourmet Traveller, really.
Nine’s Total TV Sales Lead Richard Hunwick To Step Down
Nine's Richard Hunwick calls time after 15 years. Hoping for a last trip to the Olympics before getting the gold watch.
Yahoo Academy Culminates With Pitch-Off For Musicians Making A Difference With Trip To Cannes In Cairns On The Line
B&T happy to support the Musicians Making A Difference initiative. Particularly any that encourages more Watusi.
TV Ratings 16/5/24: Nearly 2 Million Tune In To See Sky Blues Win In Women’s State Of Origin
B&T does make jokes about the Budget reply speech but, to his credit, Mr Potato Head rated OK last night.
Binge Launches “Scene:Scents” Sensory Entertainment Campaign, Via Thinkerbell
There's now scented candles to pair with BINGE shows. We're hoping Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventures doesn't hear about it.
Jolt Partners With Veridooh For Verification Of Its EV Charger Placements In UK
Although B&T's an avid supporter of EV cars, we'd definitely miss the smell of petrol and the service station pie.
Nine Ad Manager Named Principal Sponsor Of CommBank SmallBiz Week
CommBank's SmallBiz Week is coming to Melbourne on the 29-30 May. B&T's as confused as you are on how that's a week.
Pet Circle & Seven Communications Partner On “Pawtition” To Get Pets On Public Transport
B&T's concerned about the fleas, urine & faeces on public transport - and that's just from fellow passengers!
‘A Win-Win’ – How The Matildas Helped CommBank Become A ‘Globally Iconic Brand’ For The First Time
CommBank's sponsorship of the Matildas is a sport marketing masterclass. The opposite to Nick Kyrgios & his sponsors.
VML Australia Dominates The One Show With 5 Gold Pencils
VML Australia flying the flag at the One Show Awards in New York. Not that we need more flag waving at the moment.
Social Soup: Consumers Looking For “Informative” Not “Funny” Social Content When Making Buying Decisions
In a further blow to ventriloquism everywhere, new research says consumers prefer information over funny videos.
GIO Unveils New “Protect Precious” Brand Positioning & Campaign, Via Ogilvy
Insurer asks what's precious in our lives in new work. Which is better than asking is this business highly flammable.
Digitas & Heckler Singapore Launch Animated Symphony For Riot Game’s Valorant Champions Tour Pacific
Stony silence between you and the graphic arts team at Friday drinks? This gaming news could be an ice breaker.
Wavemaker Global CEO Toby Jenner Appointed Global President, GroupM Clients
Wavemaker’s Toby Jenner continues his career trajectory. But is it enough to move him up to the first class lounge?
Fast 10: Mindshare Head Honcho Maria Grivas On Her “Resting Smiling Face”
Mindshare is having a very fruitful 2024. Here, CEO Maria Grivas reveals her fertilisers & pruning tips to success.
Real Home Care Clients & Staff Star In New HammondCare Campaign
Aged care commercial uses real life clients & staff. B&T has not contacted the actor's union for comment.
Mutinex’s Henry Innis: “I’m Imperfect As A Leader”
Mutinex is being touted as one of the hottest start-ups in the land. And we don't mean that in an Elizabeth Holmes way.
Slew Of Senior Hires At Sparro by Brainlabs & Jack Nimble
B&T loves to report new hires as it shows the healthy state of the industry. That and cocaine usage at work functions.
Initiative’s Fein, Geer, Colter To Depart For Accenture Song
As you read first in B&T, there are significant comings-and-goings at Initiative. Though mainly goings, if we're honest.
Pizza Hut Fined $2.5m For Spamming Customers
To be honest, if you're going to spam customers, cheap pizza deals is probably on the low side of the dodgy scale.
Jetstar & Qantas Perception Ratings Soar After Bonza Cancelled Flights, YouGov Finds
This poll is further proof nothing builds a positive brand image like your competitor monumentally f@cking up.
Pedigree Launches AI-Powered Ad Initiative To Give All Dogs A Home, Via Colenso BBDO & Nexus Studios
B&T encourages this dog adoption initiative. And that's despite us barely being able to look after our own selves.
Apparent Launches “All Heart, No hassle” Integrated Campaign For Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller
Apparent charged with Flight Centre's Corporate Traveller creative. Has avoided any gags about stolen hotel bathrobes.
South African Tourism CMO: ‘We Want Consumers To Experience SA Through The Eyes Of A Child’
B&T chats with South African tourism's Aussie CMO. Admittedly, we had to quickly rectify our Barossa Valley questions.
Market Research Firm TRA Names KFC’s “Look On the Fried Side Of Life” As Australia’s Favourite Ad
A poll of everyday Aussies has revealed our favourite ads. And it'll make difficult reading for the Harvey Norman team.
‘A Big, Big Step In The Right Direction’: Media Buyers React To News Corp’s D_Coded
There was a universal thumbs up for News' D_Coded event. Although there were calls for glitter bombs at the finale.
CommBank Announced As Presenting Partner Of Vogue Codes 2024
Vogue Codes is a top initiative encouraging women into STEM-based careers. All while wearing Jimmy Choos, apparently.
Brad Garbutt Joins OMA As Marketing Lead
Seasoned adlander Garbutt joins the outdoor association. Says he's got the DOOH down pat, but working on the PDOOH.
TV Ratings 15/5/24: Gruen Pulls A Crowd For Aunty As It Enters 16th Season
Although B&T typically shuns predictions, we're expecting big numbers for Peter Dutton's Budget reply speech tonight.
D_Coded panel: ‘If You Are A Marketer Handling Data And Haven’t Spoken To Legal, You’re In Trouble’
This fiery panel was a highlight of Tuesday's D_Coded event. Not that it spilled out into the carpark.
SBS Audio Campaign Tells The Stories Of New Australians, With Multilingual Content Offerings To Assist Migrants
SBS Audio has launched a new marketing campaign for its ‘Australia Explained’ service which supports new migrants to successfully navigate life in Australia and achieve a greater sense of belonging and social cohesion. SBS’s flagship service for new migrants, Australia explained, has launched a multi-platform marketing campaign that reaches into the heart of the migrant […]
Tracker App Launches, Promising Consumers A Read On Brand’s & Products Sustainability Chops
Shoppers can now get access to sustainability information at their fingertips through Tracker, a first-of-its-kind mobile app. The Tracker app centralises sustainability data into a single, easy-to-understand format, helping shoppers make informed choices about the brands and products they support. Shoppers can simply scan the barcode of their favourite supermarket, chemist or department store item […]
Channel Factory Expands Team Across Australia & New Zealand By 20%
Social media agency Channel Factory announces a significant lift in staff numbers. Doesn't thank Tuesday's Budget.
Jaywing Extends Strategy Team Appointing Fran Martin As Senior Brand Strategist
As is often said, you can never have too much strategy. Same can't be said of programmatic & AI.
Tourism Tasmania Taps Broadsheet For Latest “Off Season” Campaign Iteration
Do you like to drape yourself in sheepskin, flannelette & weird, wooly hats? Tasmania in winter is for you.
Netball WA Appoints 303 MullenLowe As Brand Strategy partner
Netball WA appoints 303 MullenLowe for its brand strategy. Any mention of Gina also now strictly forbidden.