2022 Menzies Oration

Providing the best medical advice in a pandemic, an insider’s view

Delivered by

Professor Paul Kelly

Chief Medical Officer, Australian Government Department of Health

A public health physician and epidemiologist by training, Professor Kelly has over 30 years research experience, working across Australia as well as in Malawi, Indonesia, East Timor, and the UK. He has worked in health systems development, postgraduate teaching and as a health service executive including in the Northern Territory where he was a Principal Research Fellow with the Menzies School of Health Research.

Professor Kelly first joined the Australian Government Department of Health in March 2019 as the Chief Medical Adviser, Health Products Regulation Group and became the Deputy Chief Medical Officer in February 2020. Prior to these appointments, Professor Kelly spent 8 years as Chief Health Officer for the ACT and Deputy Director-General of Population Health in the ACT Government Health Directorate.

Professor Kelly is the Chair of the Australian Health Protection Principle Committee (AHPPC) and as an official member of National Cabinet, has contributed his extensive public health and epidemiological knowledge and experience in the formulation of various plans, guidelines and advice relating to COVID-19. This vital work has significantly contributed to Australia’s approach to virus suppression.