31 October 2022
Monash University is pleased to announce the appointment of former federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt, as the foundation Chair of the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health’s Advisory Council.
The Turner Institute is a world leader in research dedicated to preventative brain and mental health research, treatment and education.
Monash University Chancellor Mr Simon McKeon AO welcomed Mr Hunt’s appointment, and said he would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in international healthcare policy and research to the position.
“Mr Hunt is a passionate advocate for mental health and, as the former federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, his vast expertise in healthcare policy will ensure the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health remains one of the world’s leading research institutes,” Mr McKeon said.
Mr Hunt, who retired at the 2022 Federal election, said the role allowed him to continue to work in the mental health area.
“I was delighted to be invited to assist the Turner as they build on their research and community role. They are already international leaders but have the capacity to be one of the world’s foremost centres for prevention and treatment of brain and mental health conditions,” Mr Hunt said.
“The Turner has set out a vision focused on applying their research to clinical practice. This approach can make a real difference to the lives of those with mental health challenges. Mental health is a long standing deep, personal passion. It stems from the family experiences I had growing up where my mother struggled with bipolar,” he said.
Director of the Turner Institute, Professor Kim Cornish, welcomed Mr Hunt’s appointment.
“Greg’s deep understanding of the mental health landscape in Australia and his passion for empowering the community to live well makes him an outstanding candidate for the inaugural Chair of the Turner Advisory Council,” said Professor Cornish.
“Greg will lead a group of strategic advisors that bring exceptional skills and networks in health and medical research, government, industry, philanthropy and lived experiences.”
Mr Hunt said the Turner’s ‘Living Lab’ study, which will follow thousands of residents in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, across all age groups over a 10-year period, monitoring and treating the signs of mental illness, dementia and other brain conditions, was an example of the ground-breaking research being carried out.
“At the same time there is enormous scope for an enhanced focus on the substantive areas of suicide prevention, eating disorder treatment, age-based mental health and Indigenous mental health,” he said.
Mr Hunt said that he wanted to concentrate his philanthropic work on mental health through the Turner Institute.
“At this point, I want to focus my philanthropic work on one primary role in the mental health space,” he said. “Within that field, the Turner presented itself as a unique opportunity to work with the University, researchers, practitioners and the lived experience community.”
Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor Christina Mitchell AO said the appointment of Mr Hunt would continue to drive the world-leading work of the Turner Institute.
“Mr Hunt’s personal passion for mental health will be of enormous benefit to the Turner’s 280-plus world-class researchers in the quest to scale-up support and services to the community, and make a substantive and lasting impact on brain health,” she said.
