Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to welcome a delegation from the Solomon Islands led by the Hon. Jimson Tanangada, Minister for Police National Security and Correctional Services, and the Hon. Clezy Rore, Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs.

I notice we have students from Carey Baptist College, from the electorate of Burt, and also the winner of this year's My First Speech competition for year 12, Olivia Rose Bradshaw.

And I'm very pleased to inform the House that present in the gallery today are the many participants of Kids in the House, who are here today with their parents and representatives from JDRF, a leading supporter of type 1 diabetes research in the world. Welcome to you all.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—It was absolutely delightful to welcome these fine young Australians from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the Prime Minister's courtyard earlier today, their parents and also those people from the foundation. These young Australians are an inspiration. I've been meeting with them since it was instituted 20 years ago; we instituted a process in this parliament whereby they would meet with their local members either here or in their electorate and educate us about the experiences that they have in dealing with diabetes and the courage that they show. Every one of them never tells you a hardship story; they're always up beat. It's always a pleasure to meet with them.

I'm very proud that my government announced $50 million in funding for the foundation today to coincide with their visit. It's an important research area. I know one member of my staff has been in that situation and is dealing with diabetes and leading a very fulfilling life. I did want to join with the Speaker in welcoming particularly the young Australians but also their parents and carers and others who are here today.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I join with the Prime Minister in welcoming all of those participants in the JDRF program who are in the House today. As the Prime Minister says, we've been meeting with people, particularly children, effected by type 1 diabetes for many, many years in this place. I want to give a shout-out to Alyssa and her mum, Linda, from my electorate. I saw them on the plane on the way down on Monday. As members of parliament, we have had engagement with young advocates, as they refer to themselves, who are really telling us about what it is to live with type 1 diabetes and what it means for their parents—the uncertainty, particularly as the kids get older, with the complications of life and sport and being away from home and wanting to go to parties, travel et cetera.

I just encourage all Australians to jump on the website to understand the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 and understand the real concern that every Australian should have with making sure that we can find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

I say thank you very much to everyone for being in the House today. We welcomed and supported and announced our commitment to the $50 million worth of funding as well. One of the pleasures I had as health minister was to put a lot of money into medical research for type 1 diabetes. We absolutely must work with all of the leading collaborators around the world, the best researchers, to make sure that we can find the cure to change the lives for those young people in the House today, in Australia and right across the world.