Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

As we heard this morning, treatment and affordable treatment are critically important in terms of ovarian cancer, but what we also need to do is find a cure. Of the approximately $2 billion we have invested in all cancers since 2000 through the National Health and Medical Research Council and Cancer Australia, more than $100 million was directed to ovarian cancer research. Alongside Cancer Australia, we are working hard to have the most effective campaigns, raising awareness amongst medical professionals and conducting the research that will improve the direction and outcomes. An initiative we support, which is particularly close to many of us in this chamber, is of course the Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award in honour of our colleague who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2007. She did all that she could in her time to raise awareness of this cancer, and it is incumbent upon us all to continue her legacy.