Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Davey for the question. The benefit of a strong economy to health cannot be underestimated. The Morrison government recognises the importance of, in particular, clinical trials. They drive new ideas and they achieve new discoveries, resulting in improved quality of life and survival rates, and they boost our nation's strong reputation as a global leader in medical research.

It is estimated that more than 40,000 Australians are diagnosed with a rare or less-common form of cancer. For many, there is a lack of evidence based information to inform treatment options and support networks. While survival rates for high-incidence cancers have improved, those for rare cancers have remained relatively static. That is why, through our landmark Medical Research Future Fund, we are investing $55 million to research rare cancers and diseases. This is the largest investment in clinical trials in any single round in Australian history. The unprecedented clinical trials activity is aimed at developing new drugs, devices and treatments and, ultimately, at saving lives.

Of the $55 million investment that we are making, $15 million is for research into reproductive cancers; $5 million is for childhood brain cancer clinical trials, with the aim to double the 10-year survival rate of childhood brain cancer; $20 million will address an increasingly significant burden of neurological disorder; and $15 million will address other significant gaps in current research and/or knowledge in rare cancers, rare diseases and areas of unmet medical need. These are the benefits of a strong economy. (Time expired)