Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Back in June I attended the fantastic opening of the Heart Foundation Northern Territory's new office where they will continue to reduce the burden of heart disease that is suffered by many, many Territorians. The NT has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease mortality in Australia, taking almost one Territorian's life per day.

Last week, I spoke with health professionals in the Pacific about their rheumatic heart disease burden, and, as embarrassing as it is to acknowledge, Australia has some of the highest rheumatic heart disease rates in the world. And, within that sad record, the NT has the highest rate of RHD with First Nations Territorians having 120 times the national average. Ending RHD is a key priority for the Heart Foundation, along with supporting First Nations cardiovascular health, tobacco related harm, food security and literacy. It is working towards eliminating the infection which causes RHD by 2031. Our government has invested $11.97 million in the Rheumatic Fever Strategy. Together, we can put an end to this entirely preventable disease, as other countries have done, before it devastates another generation of First Nations and other disadvantaged children in our nation.

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