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Bubonic plague triggered the introduction of strict quarantine laws which are still in place in Australia to protect the popula- tion from outbreaks of diseases in other countries.
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The plague broke out in Sydney, New South Wales killing a total of 500 people throughout the nation. The disease was carried by flea on the back of rats which lived in urban slums.
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Federation in 1901 provided an opportunity for the Commonwealth Government to implement public health measures even though it had limited powers in relation to health and welfare policy.
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School of Tropical Health was established in Queensland to address the high rate of tropical diseases.
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Australia’s first Commonwealth Depart- ment of Health was established. It provided funds to assist in undertaking health research, collected data related to sanitation and disease, and encouraged the states to take action on health-related issues.
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Federal Health Council was established
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Australian government undertook mass vaccinations in the 1930s for diphtheria
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During the depression of the early 1930s, there was con- cern about reduced living standards and poor nutri- tion.
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Global elimination of smallpox, with polio erad- icated from most parts of the world.
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In 1934, the federal health council was expanded to include med- ical research. It later became the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
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There were over 200 infant welfare centres operating in Victoria.
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Australian government undertook mass vaccinations in the 1950s for pertussis, tetanus and poli- myelitis.
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Australian government undertook mass vaccinations in the 1960s for measles