Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The motion is seconded. To the JDRF kids and the Kids in the House program, I've got to say, that in the 17 years I've been here, I think this is the most effective lobbying campaign we've seen. Congratulations JDRF and Mike Wilson on this program. All those blue shirts and those little kids actually tear at your heartstrings, because you know what diabetes is doing to them but also to their families and how difficult it is to cope with on every level. Welcome to Parliament House, and thank you, member for Morton, for putting this motion up.

The member for Morton and I have become very firm friends after our 17 years together in parliament. We're leaving at the same time, and I'm looking to hand over the reins of the coalition's side of being the co-chair of—I don't actually call us the Friends of Diabetes. I say we're the enemies of diabetes in this place, and long may that tag live! The member for Lindsay, alongside me here, has her own personal story about diabetes. I look forward to this group. It is the longest-serving group—the first friendship group formed in this place and the longest surviving. What I'd like to see is the group abandoned because we've solved all the problems with diabetes, but I suspect that's a little way away yet.

There is a special mention for Fletcher Buchanan, who's momentarily distracted, and his mum, Alex. His dad, Luke, can't be here today. He's a principal. Oh, there we go—actually, there's an update. Welcome. All of you have your own personal story. Fletcher is only two years old. I went down to Yorketown two or three weeks ago to introduce myself to him, and he's a delightful young fellow who is looking forward to taking advantage of the advances in the treatment of diabetes.

When I think back over what we've achieved over the 17 years in parliament, there weren't any constant glucose monitors around, then. They didn't link up to pumps. That has made such a vital change to people with diabetes, but we're not happy. We want a cure. That's the answer. We can't do that unless we keep up on the scientific front. I normally start my speeches about diabetes by saying it's the leading cause of heart disease, the leading cause of blindness and the leading cause of amputation. I should add that it's also one of the leading causes of kidney disease, dementia, stroke, mental stress, cancer and liver disease. There are very good reasons for Australia to make a concerted effort to play its part in the international scene to see this cursed disease off, quite frankly. None of you choose to have it. You just have to wear it and live with it. So thank you so much for your stoicism.

I'd also like to make a special mention of Mike Wilson OAM, who has led this organisation for 20 years. You stepped down mid-year, but it's good to see you back in here, Mike. I think we were due to have lunch today somewhere, but the cafe wasn't open or something. We look forward to working with Sydney in your place.

There are so many things about diabetes. It's not just type 1, of course; there is type 2 diabetes as well. Sadly, I have reported to this House many times that the electorate of Grey is the world champion or the Australian champion when it comes to the incidence of diabetes full stop. There are 1.4 million Australians diagnosed with diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is creating havoc.

So we need to keep going on all those fronts. I think it less likely that we will find a cure for type 2, but I think we will continue to find better and better treatments. But I do think the future is bright from the point of view of finding that long-term cure. I don't know who the smart lady or smart man will be that will suddenly say, 'Eureka, we've got the answer here!' Maybe it will happen incrementally. But I do know that in this place, in this parliament, that both sides of parliament and the crossbenches—all of us—are united in the cause of trying to support juvenile diabetes research.

I back the calls from the member for Moreton, that we need to see a continuation of that funding—I think you're looking for $30 million at the moment. It originally came from Greg Hunt. There was an extension last year. We need it to be locked into the budget on an ongoing basis until it's done.

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