Table 3 Key physical activity policy events in Australia⁺ 1995/6 – 2005/6

• USA: Physical Activity and Public Health – A Recommendation from CDC and ACSM

• Physical Activity and Health: a special communication from the NSW Chief Health Officer'

• Active and inactive Australians' research report published

• Towards best practice for physical activity in the areas of NSW

• USA: Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General

• NSW Physical Activity Task Force established by Premier, launched by Deputy Premier

• Active Australia concept commences

• Acting on Australia's weight: a strategic plan for the prevention of overweight and obesity published

• Active Australia – A National Participation Framework launched by Federal Ministers

• First Active Australia Survey conducted

• First Active Australia Campaign (25–60 yrs) implemented in NSW February-March

• Developing an Active Australia: A framework for action for physical activity and health

• launched by Federal Health Minister

• Active Australia Media Campaign (older adults targeted, 55–75 years)

• SIGPAH inaugural meeting in Canberra 6–7 May

• National Physical Activity Guidelines for adults released by Australian Government (May)

• Burden of Disease and Injury in Australia published by AIHW (November)

• Active Australia Alliance established – national level intersectoral planning

• Review of Active Australia/consultation for Backing Australia's Sporting Ability

• Endorsement of Active Australia Alliance National Plan 2000–2003 deferred

• The Costs of Illness Attributable to Physical Inactivity in Australia published (July) [2000]

• Backing Australia's Sporting Ability released by Prime Minister (April) [2001]

• Getting Australia Active: towards better practice for the promotion of physical activity (review of evidence) published (March)

• National Obesity Taskforce established (November

• Healthy Weight 2008 endorsed by Australian Health Ministers (November

• Australian Prime Minister announces $116M funding package over 4 years to implement

• Building a Healthy Active Australia initiative (June) [2004]

• National physical activity recommendations for 5–12 and 12–18 year olds (July)

• WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical and Health (DPAS) released

• Physical activity guide for older Australians released (April)

• Be Active Australia: A Framework for Health Sector Action for Physical Activity 2005 -

• 2010 (July)

• National Chronic Disease Strategy endorsed by Australian Health Ministers (November)

• Australian Government publication of Healthy Weight for Adults and Older Australians – a

• national action agenda to address overweight and obesity in adults and older Australians

• AusPANet established as an independent initiative mid 2006 under the auspices of the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the University of Sydney; AusPANet. was set up to build knowledge and capacity in the physical activity workforce (website, fortnightly e-News bulletin, 'ask an expert' function [from 2007]