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The story garnered further traction when media outlets like Channel 9 began to cover it, framing the issue within the broader context of public health and government intervention. Politicians and advocacy groups are now under pressure to address the problem, with some calling for policies to phase out wood heaters.
The Rise of the "Clean Air" Lobby
A significant development is the emergence of advocacy groups such as Asthma Australia, which argue that the government's failure to phase out older, more polluting wood heaters is neglecting the needs of the 2.8 million Australians living with asthma. They suggest replacing traditional wood heaters with low-emission alternatives like reverse-cycle air conditioners could reduce asthma flare-ups, hospital visits, and winter mortality rates.