While it is pleasing that we finally have a vaccine and that our most vulnerable people are now immunised, this figure is far short of where the authorities thought we would be by now, and makes achieving the goal of a fully immunised population by October tenuous at best.

Many reasons have been cited for the flawed rollout— supply issues with overseas-produced vaccines, geopolitical manoeuvering, alleged stockpiling of vaccines by the states and poor utilisation of the existing infrastructure to efficiently deliver vaccines to the people.

The truth is probably that it’s all of the above.

What is hard to argue against, and has been proven throughout this pandemic, is that the efficient, unencumbered function of the health system is as important as excellence in clinical practice to the wellbeing of people.

It has been an interesting time. We have reflected on how well prepared the Australian health system was for what thankfully never came—the onslaught of COVID-19 cases that overwhelmed many overseas hospital wards.

We invested in the health workforce’s surge capacity, prepared our ICUs and committed to educating and informing professionals on best practice care for patients with COVID-19.

It was an exemplary, pride-inducing effort.

And now we reflect on what could be done better. The health system is a complex and unwieldy beast, and ours is arguably the envy of the world. Nevertheless, flaws exist, and not just in the vaccine rollout.

Take, for example, the recent developments in the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s independent assessments.

I quote the APA’s submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS: ‘The NDIS promised to help many Australians living with disabilities—delivering disability services differently with more choice and control for participants towards using individualised funding and self-directed supports.

'It is clear from the significant shifts of the past few years—under the guise of reform— that the Scheme has fallen well short on its promise.’

Independent assessments are another attack on the premise upon which the NDIS was built. Not only is this reform a major departure from the intent of the Scheme, the way in which it came about exposed an alarming lack of adhesion to due process and sector consultation.

We have called on the government to put an immediate halt on the implementation of independent assessments until their impact is fully understood.

At the time of writing, we don’t yet know the outcome.

As a peak body of one of the largest allied health professions in Australia, the APA has an important role to play in shaping a health system that honours its purpose.

We serve as advisors, lobbyists and we hold decision-makers to account.

Over the past few years, our involvement and influence in this sphere has risen substantially and we take this responsibility seriously.

Your membership of the APA contributes to this effort. As a peak body, our power to influence and create change comes from the size and strength of our membership.

Every one of you counts. Every decision to renew a membership is a decision to participate in the process of shaping a system that works for all Australians.

We thank you for it.