Cancer Council Tasmania Special Event: Tackling Commercial Determinants of Health in Tasmania
Overview
Join Cancer Council Tasmania for a special event on tackling the commercial determinants of health in Tasmania through research, policy and practice.
Through short presentations, a panel discussion and workshop, participants will:
Hear from local and national leaders with experience in policy-relevant research, media engagement and advocacy campaigns.
Collaborate in small groups to identify opportunities and practical next steps to build the case for policy change and impact in Tasmania.
Build local and national connections with researchers, advocates and policy professionals working across government, health and community organisations.
Hosted as part of our Jeanne Foster Public Talk Series, this session will focus on practical insights and actions, including research and knowledge translation, media advocacy, partnerships, public campaigns and community support.
2026 is an exciting year for preventive health in Tasmania, with the launch of the 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy and Nipaluna/Hobart hosting the Public Health Association of Australia’s (PHAA) 2026 Preventive Health conference. We hope you will join us to build momentum for action on the commercial determinants of health in Tasmania!
This event will take place in Nipaluna/Hobart. If you are attending the PHAA Preventive Health Conference, this event is the perfect place to start your week! We will be just a short walk from the conference venue.
Afternoon tea will be provided.
Registration is free but essential.
Lineup
Jane Martin BA (Hons), MPH, Hon Doc (Deakin)
Jane Martin is a leading Australian public health advocate with decades of experience addressing the commercial determinants of health, particularly the corporate practices shaping diets, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. She is Executive Manager of the Food for Health Alliance and leads Healthy Lifestyles at Cancer Council Victoria, driving national policy and advocacy to reduce diet related disease. Her career spans research, policy development, mass reach behaviour change campaigns, advocacy, and regulatory reform, with a strong focus on countering industry influence on public health. She is known for translating evidence into policy change and building cross sector momentum for healthier food environments. Jane is a Non for Profit board member, Churchill Fellow, former President of the Australia and New Zealand Obesity Society, Salzburg Fellow, and recipient of the Public Health Association of Australia President’s Award. She has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Deakin University for her sustained contribution to public health advocacy and policy reform.
Dr Aimee Brownbill
Dr Aimee Brownbill (PhD) is Policy and Research Manager at the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), an independent not-for-profit organisation working to stop harm caused by alcohol. In this role, she works on emerging areas of alcohol policy concern, monitors the regulatory environment and engages in research translation. Aimee is currently leading a portfolio of work on digital marketing by harmful industries such as alcohol, gambling and highly processed unhealthy foods, exploring potential avenues for regulation in this space and has been awarded an ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship to further explore this topic.
Associate Professor Raglan Maddox
Associate Professor Raglan Maddox (Bagumani (Modewa) Clans, Papua New Guinea) is a public health researcher whose work centres Indigenous-led, population-level research grounded in community-driven processes. He focuses on reducing tobacco, vaping, and nicotine-related harms, strengthening Indigenous public health evidence and practice, and advancing structural approaches to health equity and justice. Raglan has worked in tobacco control since 2007 and leads the Tobacco Free Program at Yardhura Walani, the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research at The Australian National University. His work supports Indigenous-led research and policy that aims to eradicate commercial tobacco and nicotine related harms, shifting the conditions that shape health and wellbeing.
Alex Johnston
Alex has more than 20 years of experience in journalism, communications, and politics. He began his career as a television reporter in 2004 and went on to hold senior editorial roles in the Tasmanian media, including six years as News Director at WIN Television. In this role, he led statewide news coverage, managed editorial teams, and developed clear, engaging stories on issues that affect the community. Alex has covered or advised through fourteen state and federal elections, giving him a good understanding of how media, government, and public messaging intersect during high-pressure and high-profile moments. He has also served as a senior political adviser in the Tasmanian Parliament and worked in communications with the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), combining experience across the public, private, and cultural sectors. A regular contributor to radio programs and podcasts discussing Tasmanian politics, Alex is known for calm, practical advice, and a clear communication style. He now applies that experience to help organisations across government, not-for-profit, and business sectors build confidence in front of the media and communicate more effectively with the people they need to reach.
Paul Lupo
Paul Lupo has been CEO of St Lukes since 2017, driving major transformation toward its vision of making Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet. His broad leadership and national governance roles underscore his commitment to strong, member focused organisations.
About Cancer Council Tasmania
Cancer Council Tasmania is Tasmania's leading cancer charity, working to reduce the incidence and impact of all cancers for all Tasmanians through delivering prevention programs, providing supportive care services, advocating for systemic change and investing in cancer research.
As part of the Jeanne Foster Public Talk series, this event honours Cancer Council Tasmania's first major benefactor, the late Miss Jeanne Foster.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
