The Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS) initiative is proud to announce its strong support for and signing of the open letter addressed to all 2025 Australian Federal Election candidates: “Australia needs a National Clean Air Strategy.”

This crucial open letter highlights the increasing health impacts of air pollution on all Australians, stemming from bushfire smoke, pollen, biological hazards, and indoor pollutants. It underscores the significant economic and human costs associated with poor air quality, including approximately 3,200 premature deaths and billions of dollars in healthcare expenses annually.

The letter emphasizes the fragmented nature of current air quality management across different government levels and agencies, advocating for urgent national leadership and investment. It draws a compelling parallel to Australia’s comprehensive strategies for food and water safety, stressing that clean air, the most critical environmental determinant of health, deserves similar dedicated attention and resources.

The open letter clearly outlines the substantial return on investment of a National Clean Air Strategy, including:

• Improved health outcomes for numerous chronic illnesses.
• Enhanced productivity through reduced spread of respiratory infections.
• Support for healthy child development and extended healthy lifespans.
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to long-term climate security.

The Global Open Air Quality Standards initiative firmly believes that access to clean, safe air is a fundamental right for all Australians. We stand in solidarity with the signatories of this open letter in urging the next Australian Federal Government to commit to developing and implementing a comprehensive National Clean Air Strategy with dedicated resources for leadership and effective action.

You can read and support the open letter here: https://safeair.org.au/open-letter/

This is a critical moment for Australia to prioritize the health and wellbeing of its citizens and secure a cleaner, healthier future for all.