Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

One out of every six dollars spent—nearly $1.6 billion—on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is for cancer medicines. Since 2000, the government has invested more than $2 billion on cancer research. Since the coalition has been in government, we have funded substantial new lifesaving and life-changing cancer drugs that treat conditions: $57 for melanoma treatment, $191 million for breast cancer treatment, $60 million for lung cancer and $92 million for pancreatic cancer treatments. These investments are not cheap, but they save lives. We continue to deliver on our promise to list medicines recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee without fear or favour. I am once again very pleased to stand in this parliament and be part of a government that is delivering real dollars, cutting-edge research, lifesaving medicines and comprehensive services in our fight against cancer.