Another nationwide pandemic is a matter of when, not if, the health minister has warned, as laws setting up a federal disease control centre were introduced.
A proposal to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control was brought to federal parliament on Wednesday, with the aim of improving the nation's preparedness for future pandemics.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the health body would address shortcomings in the nation's health system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the reforms were "long overdue", with a lack of leadership and weak surveillance systems threatening public trust in pandemic responses.
"There will be another pandemic, the only question is when, and there continue today to be infectious disease outbreaks," Mr Butler said
The minister pointed to a 2023 inquiry, when an independent panel completed extensive investigations to learn from the experiences of Australians during the pandemic.
"The inquiry panel was clear in its findings," Mr Butler said.
"Australia must never again enter into a public health crisis without a national public health authority or robust data."
The centre would begin running from January 2026, should the laws pass parliament, and build upon an interim body already in place.
The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control launched in January, was the first step in the implementation of the government's election commitment.
The Public Health Association has welcomed the government's move to make the centre permanent.
"With Australia facing challenges like the threat of bird flu, and public health misinformation and falling immunisation rates, the Australian CDC will provide a central, credible source of information," chief executive Terry Slevin said.
"We hope it will grow and evolve to a key leadership role in public health in Australia, and be resourced accordingly."
To get the centre off the ground, the government has promised more than $250 million for its establishment, with an additional $73 million in ongoing funding from the 2028/29 financial year.
