Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Postviral syndrome seems to be becoming more prevalent. I personally know a number of people experiencing long COVID and I keep door-knocking people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Last year's year 12 'My First Speech' winner in South Australia, Chelsea Adams, won for a speech on her sister's experiences with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS.

These postviral syndromes manifest in a range of symptoms, including, commonly, a feeling of exhaustion, sleep issues, pain, problems with balance and memory, sensitivity to light, sound or touch and an inability to regulate temperature or weight. What they all have in common is that they are significantly disabling. People are stuck at home unable to work and unable to study, and often they struggle to get a diagnosis, with symptoms that can be transient and variable. But the experience is very real.

So I was thrilled to hear that the minister for health has allocated $1.1 million to the NHMRC to develop guidelines for these associated conditions in consultation with patient groups, health professionals and medical scientists. A 2020 study estimated that up to 22,000 Australians suffer with these conditions, and that was before post-COVID syndrome was a thing. This is money well spent and I look forward to the results. Thank you to all of those who shared their experiences with me. This government hears you, and we see you.

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