The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) is developing a National Statement on the curriculum importance and future of Health and Physical Education in Australia. This initiative is in response to national curriculum developments and emerging new policy directions of the Australian Government that seem to equate education with "productivity" and provide a narrow perspective on "core curriculum". ACHPER is also preparing an Action plan that will seek to; (1) actively and constructively contribute to the ongoing debates relating to a National Curriculum and the current Review of the National Declaration on the Goals of Schooling; (2) provide a timely and considered response to the Federal government's policy proposals for education; and (3) present proposals and recommendations that can be the basis of ongoing productive partnerships in policy and curriculum development. In this article, the author describes ACHPER's national statement and action plan and presents principles underpinning a national statement and national action plan.