Elouise Hahn ('05)

After the tragic and avoidable death of her son Joe at Northern beaches Hospital in September 2024, ex-student Elouise Hahn ('05) and her husband Danny Massa launched a campaign for change. They sought to prohibit the kind of public-private partnership arrangements that led to the failures in the emergency care provided to their son that day. The result of their advocacy is Joe's Law, with was introduced into Sate parliament in late March, 2025. Elouise tells her story here, and reveals how the teachings of Mary Ward continue to inspire her.

Joe’s Law – Stand with us in seeking justice, truth, and systemic reform

A Bill for An Act to amend the Health Services Act 1997 to prohibit new public-private partnership arrangements for the provision of acute hospitals and services; and for related purposes.

On the 20th of February 2025 we shared our story about Joe’s tragic and avoidable death with Ben Fordham on Radio 2GB. This was the first step on our journey of advocating for meaningful change and accountability in our healthcare system in NSW.

Just over one month later we were standing side by side with the Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park as we announced Joe’s Law. Legislative change to prohibit new public-private partnership arrangements for the provision of acute hospitals and services including emergency services, surgical services, in-patient services to public patients.

I have always been guided by the wisdom of Mary Ward and in the months prior to sharing our story I drew an enormous amount of strength by being a Loreto woman who acts not out of fear, but solely from love… (MW 1615). Our endless and deep love for Joe drove this campaign and continues to propel us forward.

During that first day of media, I asked every single person in NSW and beyond to stand with us in seeking justice, truth, and systemic reform. And that is exactly what has and is transpiring.

The Health Services Amendment (PPP Prohibition) Bill 2025 is revolutionary and groundbreaking. It is the first Bill of its kind in Australia with other countries looking on from afar as Australia aims to deliver world-class healthcare.

We welcomed and congratulated the government on putting forward a vitally important Bill to prohibit new public-private partnership arrangements.

This legislation affirms the dignity and honours the humanity of every single person in NSW. It needs to be enacted swiftly, without delay and with political agendas cast to the side.

We are resetting our moral compass on what is and what is not acceptable in our public healthcare system. Joe’s Law shines a light on the shadows we need to see and will ensure our healthcare in NSW does not go down the path of a private public partnership ever again that puts profit before community safety.

No good government policy change can happen without telling the truth. We must work together to seek justice for Joe so that this cannot happen to another child.

Danny and I are stopped daily by community members offering their heartfelt support.

In difficult times, I choose to focus on doing good, holding onto the belief that this, too, shall pass. Life may not unfold exactly as I wish, but I trust I’ll be given what I need to give it my best.

This perspective leads me to trust in the promise of 2 Corinthians 4:8–10: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…

Joe’s Law is vital to safeguarding and protecting our most vulnerable, especially those that can’t speak up for themselves - our babies, toddlers and elderly people - and for every person in our state who deserves to be supported by a safe and robust healthcare system.

We have nothing without good health.

With Mary Ward’s teachings etched in my mind when we speak about Joe, I refer to this passage this resonates with me deeply.

Grounded in the virtues of freedom, justice and sincerity, we shall gain God’s gift of true wisdom and all that you need.
MW 1615

Stay with us Joe. Be with us forever and transform us.