STAA welcomes the Federal Government decision to accept the recommendations of the Natural Therapies Review Panel led by Professor Michael Kidd. The panel validated the evidence to support Shiatsu's therapeutic benefits recommending its re-inclusion into private health insurance rebates. The Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler, accepted the recommendations prior to the Federal Election. It is the news we have been lobbying for since being excluded seven years prior and a very welcome endorsement of shiatsu as an effective modality in healthcare management for many Australians. The next step in the process to regain provider numbers is for the federal government to communicate its acceptance of the NTRP recommendations to the insurance companies. In the meantime we are contacting each insurer informing them of the high standards our members have maintained and assuring our readiness to be reinstated on their systems. Registration with STAA will likely be a mandatory requirement, as it was previously, so ensure your membership is fully paid and compliant with up to date Professional Indemnity Insurance, First Aid & CPR certificates submitted. Please also inform your colleagues of this pending change. The hard work by many National Council members and your colleagues now coming to fruition to benefit us all. As the national body for Shiatsu in Australia we rely on memberships to keep our work moving forward and progressing in the awareness of Shiatsu as an effective modality to assist all Australians.