Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. The recent release of Australian Bureau of Statistics provisional mortality data for our nation shows all-cause mortality to the end of August is currently a staggering 18,671, or 17 per cent higher than the historical average. A report that appeared in the Lancet medical journal also shows that Europe is facing an increase in cancer diagnoses, after an estimated one million cases went unfound due to the COVID lockdowns and other draconian measures. Can the minister advise what we are doing here in Australia to make up for the many thousands of likely missed cancer diagnoses over the last two years?