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14. Nutrition Australia ACT Inc

QuestionResponse
Please provide a brief summary of your suggestion. As a current ACT Government service provider, Nutrition Australia ACT Inc (NAACT) has a strong commitment to the health of the Canberra community. Considering the current poor dietary intakes and rates of overweight and obesity within the ACT population, NAACT strongly recommends the creation of an overarching nutrition advocacy service that supports the nutrition of all ACT community sectors. This service would also act as an interface between the policies and priorities of the ACT Government and the ACT population, as well as consult and provide advice to non-government organisations.    
What services do you believe are most important for the Territory?

NAACT strongly supports the sustained initiatives identified in Healthy Canberra (Australian Capital Territory Chief Health Officer's Report 2016) and recommends the following four (4) services as priority to further support current initiatives:

1) In line with following ACT Government directions including the Healthy Weight Initiative, Towards Zero Growth and identified chronic disease strategies:

* a service to build the capacity of the community to make dietary and lifestyle changes through the provision of effective mentoring and professional development opportunities for non-government organisations (NGOs) and community sectors to allow them to further engage with and successfully reflect the priorities of ACT Government and strategic partners.

* the delivery of nutrition education and skill development across the community sectors including schools, workplaces, childcare, disability support, senior support and community organisations.

* ensure evidence based coordinated approach to ACT Government funded food and nutrition programs and projects across community sectors.

* promote health literacy and uptake of health behaviours across ACT Government identified community sectors to reduce or eliminate chronic disease risks, including diet related practices such as inadequate vegetable intake, excess salt consumption and overweight and obesity throughout the life cycle.

(2) Continue the strategic directions of the ACT Nutrition Support Service as operated by NAACT beyond the current funding agreements (funded by ACT Health, Healthy Canberra Grants and by Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate as part of the Healthy Weight Initiative). The ACT Nutrition Support Service supports targeted community settings to embrace healthy food and drink choices by creating and sustaining healthy eating environments.

* in addition to the current services, NAACT recommends a service with the capacity to respond to emerging ACT Government policy directions, frameworks and guidelines and act as an interface between these directions and the broader ACT community.

(3) In line with the Choose Healthier project, as part of the Healthy Weight Initiative, NAACT believes the creation of a service that can implement following strategies would make an important contribution to achieving the project goals:

* taking an active role in influencing the marketing and promotion of food and drink advertising in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and priorities/directions identified by ACT Government.

* provide nutritional expertise, practical support and advice to food outlets across ACT Government venues and events to ensure adherence to current policy.

* review, advise and support ACT school canteens to meet current food and drink policies.

(4) Reflecting the culturally diverse community within the ACT and those residents experiencing disadvantage, NAACT believes the creation of a service specifically for the implementation of quality health promotion programs across the community is important. This service would:

* guide healthy lifestyle programs that are culturally appropriate and encourage social inclusion.

* work in partnership with established community organisations and programs to ensure residents experiencing disadvantage are engaged successfully.

* provide professional expertise, including extensive knowledge of the factors that affect healthy lifestyles and practical recommendations to counteract those factors.

* guide and promote food security, including a coordination role across the Territory to ensure that food security programs are providing foods and education that aligns with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and reflects the target areas of ACT Government.

How can the Government deliver current services more efficiently and productively?NAACT recommends a systematic, preventative health approach to population health service delivery. This new service model should be holistic across all ACT Government directorates and health services inclusive of primary, secondary and tertiary tiers and all community sectors. This service would offer:
 
* a systematic approach to provide consistent evidence based messaging and policy to limit duplication of services, funding and projects and to ensure gaps in service delivery correctly identified and rectified.
 
* an all sector community focus with a special interest in reducing risk of chronic disease incidence and prevalence among population groups identified as at being at unique risk, particularly aged care and an ageing population; disability services and individuals accessing these services; antenatal and postnatal services and the women using these services.
 
This would have the additional benefit of building resilience and self-efficacy among these groups.
 
* advocacy – locally and across sectors, including tertiary training institutions, in addition to influencing national food and nutrition directions, policies and frameworks. It is proposed that NAACT be supported to provide the leadership, advocacy and expertise required to translate government policies and frameworks into community services, education and action.
Are there particular services that you consider the Government should stop delivering or perhaps should deliver in a different way?

NAACT asserts that the delivery of key nutrition messages from a single source would be more effective in ensuring messages are appropriate, positive and consistent. NAACT has a strong history as an effective service provider for ACT Government. As such, we have reviewed and contributed to ACT Government policy and demonstrated our ability to effectively communicate with the ACT community. NAACT has strong ties with the local community and is well placed to become the key facilitator of positive nutrition and food messages from both ACT Government and peak health bodies. These messages should be across all communication mediums to reflect the methods that appeal and attract the different sectors of the community including television, radio, print media and social media platforms. This innovative approach will ensure evidence based campaigns that effectively engage the community and result in measurable health differences.

Are there any new ways to generate revenue and/or services you consider that the community should make a direct contribution to (a fee for service)? Nil response.
What are your views on the Government’s taxation reforms, noting that its main objective is to replace inefficient taxes (such as conveyances and insurance premiums) with an efficient land-based tax?  Nil response.
Is there any infrastructure that the Government should consider initiating in the next four years?NAACT recommends that where infrastructure is built that incorporates food service for community use, that the facility and equipment by adequate to support a healthy food environment. All new facilities should have appropriately placed access to safe and free drinking water.