Policy and Advocacy Library
The library is the culmination of the collaborative work of RACP members and comprises a comprehensive range of evidence-based, published RACP position statements, policies and submissions.
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Description
The RACP submission to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner addresses guidance on transparency in Automated Decision-Making (ADM). It argues that guidance must be practical, accessible, and reflect how ADM is used in healthcare. It recommends aligning with existing laws, clarifying transparency for clinicians and patients, addressing bias risks, and establishing accountability for developers, alongside adaptive, continuous regulation.
Topic
Access to healthcare
Description
Our submission outlines that the RACP supports widening access criteria to funded influenza vaccinations, emphasises the need for investment in culturally appropriate delivery systems, emphasises the importance of addressing inequitable access to, particularly in rural and underserved communities; and supports Cure Kids’ call for funding of nirsevimab for all infants in Aotearoa.
Description
The RACP provided feedback to the Health Committee on the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill. The RACP supports the proposals in the Bill as the Bill aligns with recommendations in the RACP position statement on achieving a health-focused approach to drug policy in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s a practical step toward reducing overdose deaths and reshaping how Aotearoa New Zealand responds to drug-related harm.
Description
Our submission to the Pharmacy Board of Australia consultation -endorsement for scheduled medicines for pharmacists-opposes its proposal to introduce national regulatory endorsement for pharmacist prescribing of Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 Medicines.
Description
The RACP provided feedback to Pharmac on their proposal to amend the Special Authority access criteria for type 2 diabetes medicines. The RACP strongly opposes the proposal to remove existing criteria that enable equitable access to medicines for people living with Type 2 diabetes, particularly where these settings currently support fair access for Māori and Pacific communities.
Topic
RACP recommendations
Description
The RACP provided feedback to the Justice Committee on the proposed Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill. The RACP strongly opposes the proposals in the Bill, and urge the Committee to weight the evidence that these changes will further normalise alcohol use and contribute to greater alcohol related harm. It will also intensify demand on the health workforce.
Description
This new guidance supports Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) physicians and trainees amid evolving workplace demands. It addresses their complex duties to workers, employers, and other stakeholders, covering confidentiality, integrity, conflicts of interest, and hazard awareness. Clear sections span health assessments, compliance, education, and research. This 2026 edition updates and replaces the 2016 ethical guidelines.
Description
The RACP provided feedback to the Justice Committee on the proposed Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill. The RACP doesn't support the replacement of the 5-yearly question-based Census with the proposed administrative data-first Census with surveys, and doesn't support moving the next census from 2028 to 2030. It does support the requirement of annual publication of census data.
Published in
New Zealand, Australia
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
The Youth Appropriate Health Care Position Statement outlines the need for healthcare systems to recognise young people as a distinct population with specific developmental, social, and healthcare needs. It calls for embedding youth centred principles across all healthcare settings, strengthening workforce capability, improving coordination between healthcare services, and ensuring policies and funding structures to support equitable, developmentally appropriate health care for young people.
Description
The RACP’s ‘A Healthy Future Beyond Fossil Fuels Position Statement’ outlines the health impacts of fossil fuels; considers the challenges of ensuring a just transition away from fossil fuels that prioritises Indigenous justice, health equity, and planetary health; and puts forward policy recommendations to Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand governments at every level.
