Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before asking that the motion be taken as formal, I wish to inform the chamber that Senators Sterle, Siewert, McCarthy, O'Neill and Askew will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Sterle, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that, on Saturday 30 May, the international multiple sclerosis (MS) community marked World MS Day 2020;

(b) recognises that:

  (i) MS is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves,

  (ii) MS affects over 25,600 people in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide—most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, but it can affect younger and older people too,

  (iii) roughly three times as many women have MS as men,

  (iv) sadly, there is currently no known cure for MS however there are a number of treatment options available to help manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease, and

  (v) the 2020-2022 World MS Day theme is 'connections'–MS Connections is all about building community connection, self­ connection and connections to quality care, and campaigns around World MS Day 2020 are challenging social barriers that leave people affected by MS feeling lonely and socially isolated; and

(c) urges all members and senators to raise awareness among their constituents of MS and World MS Day 2020 by:

  (i) acknowledging the 30th of May as World MS Day and

  (ii) encouraging them to visit www.msaustralia.org.au.

Question agreed to.