February 2, 2026 — The Victorian Opposition has pledged to prevent the government’s plan to eliminate VicHealth as an independent agency, providing a significant boost to the world-leading health promotion organization.
Opposition’s Firm Stance
The Liberal and National parties formalized their position during a shadow cabinet meeting on Monday, ahead of the parliamentary session. This decision strips the government of the upper house majority required to enact the necessary legislation.
Crossbench parties, including the Greens, Legalise Cannabis Party, and Animal Justice Party, which collectively hold the balance of power in the 40-seat Legislative Council, also back maintaining VicHealth’s status as a standalone statutory body. Their combined support forms a bloc of 21 votes against the proposed merger into the Department of Health.
Calls for Preserving Preventative Health Focus
Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier emphasized the importance of budget repair without sacrificing preventative health investments. “If the government abolishes VicHealth and absorbs it into the Health Department, its $45 million budget will disappear into a black hole,” she stated.
Crozier advocated for VicHealth to intensify efforts on preventing cancer, diabetes, and diseases linked to tobacco, drug, and alcohol use. “All these things are on the rise, very costly to individuals and very costly to a health system that is already overstretched,” she added.
Legalise Cannabis MPs Rachel Payne and David Ettershank argued that the abolition lacks justification and would ultimately increase costs to the health system. “It is a totally false economy,” Ettershank remarked.
Crossbench and Expert Backlash
Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell labeled the proposal—stemming from a review by former bureaucrat Helen Silver—as reckless and shortsighted. “The government might think they are saving a buck now but the impacts of shutting down VicHealth will have long-reaching, potentially catastrophic consequences on our already-struggling health system,” she warned.
The Greens have committed to defending VicHealth, with Brunswick MP Tim Read vowing to dedicate his final parliamentary year to the effort. Read recently disclosed a life-threatening cancer diagnosis and plans to retire at the November election.
Prominent figures, including former federal health minister and VicHealth chair Nicola Roxon, the minister who established the agency David White, patron Sir Gustav Nossal, public health experts, and the Community and Public Sector Union, have urged reconsideration of the plan.
Government’s Rationale
Premier Jacinta Allan justified the proposal by noting significant changes in the public health landscape since VicHealth’s founding 40 years ago. She highlighted that much health promotion work now occurs through Local Public Health Units created during the pandemic.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas asserted that the changes would eliminate duplication. Established in 1987 by the Cain government, VicHealth features an independent board and dedicated funding. Originally aimed at countering tobacco advertising in sports with health messages, it now broadly supports initiatives to reduce preventable diseases. Abolishing it would necessitate amendments to the Tobacco Act, with no legislation introduced yet.
