The medical face of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, is stepping down.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced today that Professor Kelly had decided to retire from his position in the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Minister Butler said Professor Kelly had been CMO since 2020, after joining the department as Chief Medical Advisor in 2019.
“His expertise, leadership and advice helped Australia successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s largest public health response in over 100 years,” he said.
“Professor Kelly’s constant presence, technical expertise and clear communication provided reassurance to the public and critical advice to governments at a time of extreme uncertainty.”
Minister Butler said he had also been instrumental in the establishment of the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), which would better prepare the country for future health threats, and leading the development of Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy.
He said Professor Kelly’s last day in the Department would be October 21.
