John Madigan (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

This was a landmark inquiry and I was pleased to co-sponsor the motion that led to this inquiry with Senator Wang. The inquiry has received more than 1,200 submissions, many of them are extraordinary accounts of debilitation and courage and in some cases desperation and hopelessness. Lyme sufferers in Australia and their families are courageous people. In the face of life-destroying sickness and uncertainty, Lyme sufferers continue to wage a fight against inaction amongst the medical community and against ignorance and often scorn. I hold the people of the Lyme community, sufferers I have met and their families, in the highest esteem.

The time for a coordinated response by health authorities is now. The lives of thousands of Australians are at risk. I hope this is only the first step in addressing this astonishing injustice. I thank my fellow committee members and the secretariat for their work to date. I look forward to us going forward with this in the next parliament and addressing these people's concerns and getting justice for them. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.