David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator O'Neill, move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

  (i) World MS Day takes place on 30 May 2018 with the theme 'Research', and

  (ii) MS Research Australia seeks to raise awareness of the need for increased funding to accelerate Australian research targeting prevention, better treatments and a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS);

(b) recognises that:

  (i) MS is the most commonly acquired neurological condition diagnosed in young adults,

  (ii) it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, and 75 per cent of people diagnosed are women, and

  (iii) there is no known cause or cure;

(c) acknowledges the important role of the Australian Government in funding research into MS through the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund and in making MS medicines affordable through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; and

(d) confirms the need for continued action to:

  (i) invest in research to find the cause of, and a cure for, MS,

  (ii) invest in MS research in Australia to ensure leading world-class researchers remain attracted to this field of research and conduct their work here in Australia,

  (iii) encourage the critical importance of early diagnosis and early treatment onto an effective therapy overseen by an expert in MS, and

  (iv) encourage people with MS to adopt a brain-healthy lifestyle by taking their prescribed medicines, avoiding smoking, reducing alcohol intake, keeping active, keeping weight under control and keeping their minds active.

Question agreed to.