Nicola Roxon awarded honorary doctorate for health policy leadership

The ceremony on the weekend recognised her exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing plain packaging legislation to protect Australians from the harms of smoking. A Supreme Court Prize-winning University of Melbourne graduate herself, Ms Roxon had a distinguished career as a lawyer, union official, and judge’s associate before being elected to represent the seat of Gellibrand in 1998. She served until retiring in 2013.

As Health Minister from 2007-2011, Ms Roxon spearheaded major reforms to Australia's hospitals, primary care, and preventative health systems. Her landmark achievement was the 2011 Tobacco Plain Packaging Act, the first legislation requiring standardised packaging to remove tobacco advertising and branding.

Ms Roxon developed the calculated policy response based on public health advice to counter Big Tobacco. The Act made health warnings more impactful, prevented packaging from misleading consumers about tobacco's dangers, and reduced product appeal to consumers, with a focus on deterring young people. She then led the government's successful constitutional defense of the legislation against legal challenges in Australian courts by the tobacco industry.

International cases at the World Trade Organization and Permanent Court of Arbitration also ruled in Australia's favour, making a significant world-wide impact. A government review found plain packaging alone led to over 100,000 fewer smokers in Australia from 2012-2015.

Surveys since the reform show declining cigarette brand appeal and greater awareness of health risks. Ms Roxon's "courageous global leadership" shifted power dynamics with the tobacco industry, said Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Professor Jane Gunn AO.

"Our honorary doctorates are the University's highest accolade. As we grapple with the policy challenges surrounding vaping and rising nicotine addiction rates, especially among young people, Ms Roxon's legacy with plain packaging legislation is incredibly relevant. Her courageous leadership showed how research, policy advocacy, and unwavering commitment to public health can create meaningful change. Ms Roxon is an inspirational example of how universities and governments must collaborate to develop innovative solutions that protect communities and promote healthier lives for all,” she said.

Nicola Roxon said: “It is lovely to receive this recognition from my own University for my work in tobacco control.  However, it is a timely reminder of the need to refresh our fight against commercial actors who profit from addiction and continue to target children with flavoured vapes and colourful packaging.”

At least 25 countries have adopted plain packaging inspired by Australia's pioneering legislation. After politics, Roxon has had a successful career as a non-executive director for organisations with social impact like HESTA, VicHealth, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Cancer Council, which she chaired.

You can read more about the University’s other 2024 honorary doctorate recipients here.