AMA Awards 2006 President's Award
It was with a mixture of pride and sorrow that AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, last night announced that this year's AMA President's Award recipient was Mr John Perrin.
The President's Award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution towards fostering the objectives of the AMA in pursuit of a better health system for Australia.
Mr Perrin, who died last weekend, was the Prime Minister's social policy advisor.
"It was my honour to present the 2006 President's Award to Mr Perrin last week, just days before he passed away," Dr Haikerwal said.
"His work with the Government to identify major crises in health care in Australia and his collaboration with the AMA across Governments to design and implement far-reaching health reforms are benefiting the Australian public and have improved the confidence of the profession.
"Mr Perrin displayed outstanding skills in balancing and satisfying the disparate needs of the Government, the State Governments, the bureaucracy, the medical profession and the Australian people."
Mr Perrin was a substantial figure in all areas involving Australian health and welfare, and worked tirelessly to promote the health needs of disadvantaged Australians, especially homeless young people.
More recently, he was a key figure in putting mental health at the forefront of the Government's policy agenda.
He is survived by his wife Debbie, son Richard, father Heber and sister Jenny.
"On behalf of the AMA I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Mr Perrin's family, and to express how saddened we are at his loss," Dr Haikerwal said.