Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Diabetes is a serious health issue in this country. It is, frankly, one of the biggest challenges confronting Australia's health system today. There are 1.2 million Australians who suffer from the disease. It's a health issue that affects quite a number of people in my electorate of Dunkley. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly five per cent of people in Dunkley suffer from diabetes. It is also an issue that personally affects me, with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes prevalent in family members and friends.

I was proud to be part of the launch of the report by the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport's inquiry into diabetes. This is a landmark report. I want to thank the member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, for his excellent work in leading this inquiry, and the committee. The recommendations highlight the need to do more in the prevention space through health promotion and interventions to improve the statistics, because there is an unfortunate increased prevalence of diabetes in Australia. More than 300 Australians develop diabetes every day. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness in working age Australians. We must do more to prevent the disease, and this report and its recommendations will ensure the necessary change.

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