Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

Before I get into the substantive answer, I acknowledge the tremendous work that Senator Ferris has done in promoting greater public and government interest in gynaecological cancer, of which she is a courageous survivor, and I am sure that I speak on behalf of everybody when I say: Senator Ferris, may you continue to be a survivor for a long time to come. I also acknowledge the vital work and assistance provided to Senator Ferris by her colleagues in this place, including Senator Moore, Senator Polley, Senator Nash and Senator Allison, under the very good stewardship of Senator Humphries as committee chairman. With guidance and assistance from capable senators in this place, Senator Humphries always seems to produce very good reports, and he has done it again.

In this National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week the government recognises that gynaecological cancer affects the lives of more than 3,800 Australian women who are diagnosed with this dreadful disease each year. Yesterday the Minister for Health and Ageing announced that a new centre to help combat gynaecological cancers is to be set up by the Commonwealth government. Again, credit must be given here. I was so pleased to hear Senator McLucas, during her response to the report yesterday, acknowledge the incredibly tenacious and persistent role that Senator Ferris played in convincing and making representations to Mr Abbott.