Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Genetic screening sounds like something out of science fiction. For the more suspicious amongst us it can even sound Orwellian. But it's certainly part of our future, in one way or another, and that means we have to be on both our intellectual and our moral toes.

Genetics and genomics have enormous potential to shape the way we prevent, diagnose and treat illness. They are, I think, a power for good. I received a heartfelt note from Ms Troth, whose family, thanks to screening, identified a CHEK2 gene mutation, which means that within her family there is double the chance of developing a range of cancers, such as breast, bowel and ovarian. The legislative actions we're taking will mean that the Troth family and others will be able not just to engage in screening but to take the necessary preventative health actions without facing financial discrimination.

Our government has provided $3 million, under the Medical Research Future Fund, for the DNA Screen pilot study, led by Monash University. This study is offering free DNA screening for high-risk hereditary disease gene variants to 10,000 young Australians. Over 20,000 people registered in the first three days—double the allocation—and there are 30,000 registrations to date. DNA Screen updates the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Minister for Health and Aged Care. The discussions and the work have considered an enormous range of issues. We have been sensitive to the dangers of discrimination based on adverse predictive genetic testing results, and our government has committed to banning their use in life insurance underwriting. We don't want people to be frightened away from testing that could ultimately save their lives by the fear that the information could be used to their financial detriment.

We're ensuring that medical practitioners are enabled to help people everywhere in preventing, diagnosing, treating and monitoring heritable conditions. We did this by the means that work best: we consulted and we listened. We received more than a thousand submissions, and 97 per cent of them supported a total ban on the use of results in a way that threatens the availability of life insurance. In five years time we'll look to review the ban, just to make sure that there are no unintended consequences. That, of course, is what responsible governments do.

We're proud to note that the Council of Australian Life Insurers have declared their full support because they see this as good for Australians, good for government and good for industry too. This is what happens when you strive to take people along with you, as the Albanese government does, rather than trying to sow discord. Notwithstanding the coalition's failure to act in this area while in office—something we saw across so many portfolios—I hope that this motion signifies that our legislation will have broad support.

On a personal note I want to express my gratitude to Dr Jane Tiller, of Monash, who did so much to enlighten us in not just this area but broadly and who continues to advocate fiercely for people who suffer from genetic conditions. The report Australian Genetics and Life Insurance Moratorium:monitoring the effectiveness and response, known as the A-GLIMMER report, delivered last year, alerted us all. It found that genetic discrimination was occurring in life insurance and was indeed deterring people from seeking testing and engaging in what could be life-enhancing research. I congratulate Jane on being named as a finalist for Research Australia's Advocacy Award.

Our commitment to genomic research continues. Under the Albanese government, a further $66 million has been invested, along with $5½ million for the screening of newborns for genetic disorders.

We are also committed, as we are in all aspects of life, to equitable access. All Australians must have access to methods which are critical to tackling disease prevention. Investment in prevention in all its aspects is vital to sustainable healthcare systems and to national wellbeing. Healthy children are much more likely to be healthy adults, and people who have received sound healthcare advice are much more likely to live into healthy senior years. That is why we are committed, as a Labor government, to strengthening Medicare. Every time the coalition is in government, Medicare suffers damage and neglect. The repair job is underway, and this week we can see that our investments are starting to work. We won't ever give up on it. We're expanding the network of Medicare urgent care clinics across the country. I think it's up to 75 now—it's hard to keep track—though we only promised 50. There are new bulk-bill clinics that are open seven days a week with extended hours. We're making a bigger than ever investment in bulk-billing, which does take a hit every time the coalition takes office. This new investment is helping more than 11 million children under 16, pensioners and concession card holders to see doctors free of charge. (Time expired)

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