Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler MP has officially opened the Dietitians Australia 2024 Conference via a virtual address in Brisbane this morning.
Over 600 Accredited Practising Dietitians from around the country have converged on the Brisbane Convention Centre to take part in the conference themed Breaking Barriers, in what is the largest annual gathering for the profession.
"As dietitians, you provide invaluable care to Australians, and your role has never been more important," Minister Butler told the delegates.
"Our modern diet and lifestyle are resulting in increasing levels of obesity and other preventable health conditions," he said.
"A healthy and nutritious diet is crucial to overall health and wellbeing, and your work is key to ensuring that Australians make healthier choices," Minister Butler said.
Welcoming dietitians to the 'Sunshine State', Queensland Premier Steven Miles gave a virtual address on Sunday, acknowledging the impact the dietetic profession has when it comes to the health of people in the State.
"Dietitians play and will continue to play a vital role in supporting Queenslanders," Premier Miles said.
Premier Miles pointed to the Queensland Government's Making Healthy Happen 2032 Strategy and Action Plan as a priority to empower communities to prevent chronic disease and drive equitable health outcomes.
Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Women, Shannon Fentiman MP also recognised delegates as part of a virtual address.
"Your work to provide expert nutritional care to people of all ages, plays a crucial role in boosting the health of Queenslanders," she said.
Queensland Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates spoke virtually about her years of experience working collaboratively with dietitians, and the value they add to the health landscape.
"I am well aware of the incredibly important role played by dietitians in a clinical setting, you help many on the road to recovery and continuing better health outcomes with wise counsel and solutions in a preventative health setting," she said.
"I've seen first-hand where advice and recommendations from dietitians help keep people out of hospitals, and with their families and loved ones," Ms Bates said.
"Dietitians deserve this strong level of political recognition and support," Dietitians Australia President Tara Diversi said.
"We know the impact we can have will be far greater if we're enabled to work to our full scope of practice.
"We are a critical part of the solution when it comes to empowering Australians to live healthy and well, and we look forward to working closely with all Governments to ensure our full potential as a profession is realised," she said.
