The Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee will hold a public hearing at Parliament House in Canberra as part of its inquiry into diabetes.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 21 March 2024

The Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee will hold a public hearing at Parliament House in Canberra as part of its inquiry into diabetes this Friday, 22 March 2024. The Committee will hear from a variety of pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers, including Dexcom/AMSL Diabetes, Eli Lilly Australia, Medtronic and Insulet Australia, who provide life-saving diabetes medications and equipment. The Committee will also hear from Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of Ozempic. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘Throughout the inquiry, the Committee has heard a lot of evidence about patients’ experiences and challenges accessing and using life-saving medication, devices and equipment to manage their diabetes. This public hearing will explore steps that the Australian Government can take to improve access to these management and treatment options.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘The growing impact of diabetes in Australia, including the growing prevalence of the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes, has been a core focus for this inquiry. At this hearing, we will also hear from Jane McDonald, a person living with type 1 diabetes, about her journey through diagnosis, treatment and management.’ Public hearing Date: Friday, 22 March 2024 Time: 8.45am – 5.30pm AEDT (Canberra time) Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP – Committee Deputy Chair Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hear from the Australian Olympic Committee at a public hearing in Canberra as part of its inquiry into diabetes.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 19 March 2024

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hear from the Australian Olympic Committee at a public hearing in Canberra on Wednesday, 20 March 2024 as part of its inquiry into diabetes. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘As part of this broad inquiry, we are looking at how the Australian Government can better leverage Australia’s proud sporting culture to encourage physical activity and build healthy communities.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘The Committee looks forward to speaking with the Australian Olympic Committee to learn more about its engagement with public health campaigns and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.’ Public hearing Date: Wednesday, 20 March 2024 Time: 9.15am – 10.00am AEDT (Canberra time) Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP – Committee Deputy Chair Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold three public hearings across Alice Springs and Darwin as part of its inquiry into diabetes.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 5 March 2024

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold three public hearings this week across Alice Springs and Darwin as part of its inquiry into diabetes. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘As part of this broad inquiry, we are looking at all forms of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and other rarer forms such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. This week the Committee will hear from a range of stakeholders including: Aboriginal health services and peak bodies Doctors and other health professionals from Alice Springs Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital The Menzies School of Health Research. ‘The Committee looks forward to speaking with these stakeholders to better understand diabetes prevention, diagnosis and management in regional and remote locations.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘The Committee will also hear from individuals with lived experience of diabetes. We anticipate that this will offer a better understanding of the daily realities of living with diabetes in the Northern Territory, including interactions with the healthcare system.’ The Committee intends to hold further public hearings throughout March 2024. Details and dates for further public hearings will be available on the Committee’s website as they are announced. Public hearing Date: Wednesday, 6 March 2024 Time: 8.45am – 4.45pm ACST (Alice Springs time) Location: Ballroom C, DoubleTree by Hilton, 82 Barrett Drive, Alice Springs Date: Thursday, 7 March 2024 Time: 8.45am – 5.30pm ACST (Darwin time) Location: Dining Room, Parliament House, 15 Mitchell Street, Darwin City Date: Friday, 8 March 2024 Time: 8.30am – 10.30am ACST (Darwin time) Location: Dining Room, Parliament House, 15 Mitchell Street, Darwin City Programs for the public hearings are available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP – Committee Deputy Chair Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

A public hearing will be held at Parliament House in Canberra as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into diabetes.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 29 February 2024

A public hearing will be held on Friday, 1 March 2024 at Parliament House in Canberra as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into diabetes. The Department of Health and Aged Care will give evidence about the Australian Government’s work on addressing diabetes and obesity. The Committee will also hear evidence from the Department of Education about the role of the Australian Curriculum in supporting young Australians to develop healthy habits and skills, and Jess Hart, who lives with type 1 diabetes, about her experiences travelling with diabetes devices. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘Throughout the inquiry, the Committee has heard about different ways to improve the way we prevent, diagnose and manage diabetes and obesity in Australia. We will explore these ideas in more detail with the Department of Health and Aged Care at our public hearing on Friday.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘We are looking forward to hearing from the Department of Education about ways that the Australian Curriculum can positively influence the health and wellbeing of young people and help them to develop life-long healthy habits.’ The Committee intends to hold further public hearings throughout March 2024. Details and dates for further public hearings will be available on the Committee’s website as they are announced. Public hearing Date: Friday, 1 March 2024 Time: 8.45am – 12.30pm AEDT (Canberra time) Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearing will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP – Committee Deputy Chair Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

The Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee will hold a public hearing at Parliament House in Canberra for its ongoing inquiry into diabetes.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 15 February 2024

The Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee will hold a public hearing at Parliament House in Canberra for its ongoing inquiry into diabetes this Friday, 16 February 2024. This hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committee to explore the role of private healthcare, urban planning and development, and the food and grocery industries in diabetes prevention and management. The Committee will also hear from diabetes representative bodies and medical researchers. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘Throughout the inquiry, the Committee has heard about the need to improve the way we prevent and manage diabetes in Australia. This public hearing will explore the cost of diabetes treatments, and ways to improve public awareness of diabetes, obesity and their complications.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘The growing impact of diabetes in Australia, including the growing prevalence of the autoimmune disease Type 1 diabetes, means that we must respond to this challenge with forward-thinking policies to deliver better outcomes for diabetes diagnosis, treatment, and management. The Committee looks forward to hearing on Type 1 diabetes healthcare from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia and the Australian Diabetes Society, plus a suite of other organisations at our public hearing.’ The Committee intends to hold further public hearings in March 2024. Details and dates for further public hearings will be available on the Committee’s website as they are announced. Public hearing Date: Friday, 16 February 2024 Time: 8.45am – 4.45pm AEDT (Canberra time) Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra A program for public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP – Committee Deputy Chair Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold five public hearings this month in Canberra, Brisbane, Yarrabah, Cairns, and Melbourne as part of its inquiry into diabetes.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 16 November 2023

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold five public hearings this month in Canberra, Brisbane, Yarrabah, Cairns, and Melbourne as part of its inquiry into diabetes. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘As part of this broad inquiry, we are looking at all forms of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and other rarer forms such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. Over the coming days the Committee will hear from stakeholders including: medical professionals and advocates such as Dr James Muecke AM, ophthalmologist and Australian of the Year in 2020 national peak bodies like the Obesity Collective national charities including the Butterfly Foundation; and industry groups, including the National Retail Association. ‘Submitters have raised many proposals to prevent and/or better manage diabetes, such as greater access to subsidised diabetes technology, changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, a low carbohydrate diet, and policies to improve access to healthy diets including a sugar tax or strengthened Health Star Rating system. The Committee looks forward to exploring these and other ideas at the upcoming hearings’, commented Dr Freelander. Dr Freelander further stated: ‘The Committee also looks forward to travelling to Yarrabah, an Aboriginal community outside of Cairns, to hear from the local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Gurriny Yealamucka, about its experiences with diabetes.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, added: ‘The Committee will also hear from individuals with lived experience of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. We anticipate that this will offer a better understanding of the daily realities of living with diabetes, including interactions with the healthcare system.’ ‘There have been over 450 submissions to the inquiry showing the extent of interest in addressing this major health issue impacting so many Australians,’ Mrs McIntosh said. Public hearing - Canberra Date: Friday, 17 November 2023 Time: 8:45am to 3:50pm (Canberra time) Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra Public hearing - Brisbane Date: Monday, 20 November 2023 Time: 9:00am to 4:45pm (Brisbane time) Location: Undumbi Room, Queensland Parliament, Corner of George and Alice Streets, Brisbane Public hearing - Yarrabah Date: Tuesday, 21 November 2023 Time: TBC (see inquiry website closer to the date for details) Location: RTC Building, Yarrabah Public hearing - Cairns Date: Wednesday, 22 November 2023 Time: 9:00am to 11:00am (Cairns time) Location: Michaelmas Cay 1 Function Room, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf Street, Cairns Public hearing - Melbourne Date: Thursday, 23 November 2023 Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm (Melbourne time) Location: Davui Room, Victorian Parliament, 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne Programs for the hearings will be made available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP – Committee Chair Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP – Committee Deputy Chair Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

A parliamentary committee is set to hold two public hearings as part of its ongoing inquiry into diabetes. These hearings will provide a platform for key stakeholders to voice their perspectives, concerns, and recommendations, shedding light on this critical health issue.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 14 September 2023

The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport is set to hold two public hearings as part of its ongoing inquiry into diabetes. These hearings will provide a platform for key stakeholders to voice their perspectives, concerns, and recommendations, shedding light on this critical health issue. Parliament House public hearing Date: Friday, 15 September 2023 Time: 8:40am to 4:00pm AEST Location: Committee Room 1R4 8:40am – 12pm, Committee Room 1R2 12pm – 4pm; Parliament House Canberra The first public hearing at Parliament House will bring together a group of advocates, experts, and peak health organisations. The Committee will hear from Diabetes Australia and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, two organisations that play a major role in supporting people living with diabetes. The Committee will also hear from public health experts including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Australian College of Nursing, and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). Campbelltown Hospital public hearing Date: Monday, 18 September 2023 Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm AEST Location: Education Centre, Building A, Campbelltown Hospital, Therry Road, Campbelltown NSW The second public hearing will take place at Campbelltown Hospital in South West Sydney, an area with a notably high prevalence of diabetes. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘Western Sydney is unfortunately a diabetes hotspot in this country. The Committee looks forward to hearing local perspectives about what Australia can do differently to combat diabetes, in particular type 2 diabetes.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘This public hearing will be an opportunity for the Committee to hear from health practitioners working at Nepean Hospital and Campbelltown Hospital, including endocrinologists, clinical nurses, dietitians and diabetes coordinators. These medical professionals support patients in Western Sydney living with all forms of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, gestational and other rarer forms of diabetes, and will have valuable insights to share.’ The public hearings will be broadcast live via at aph.gov.au/live.  The Committee intends to hold more public hearings in due course. For more information about the Committee’s inquiry, visit its website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

A parliamentary committee inquiry will hear from Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at a public hearing on Tuesday 20 June 2023. The hearing will be held at Parliament House as part of the Health Committee’s inquiry into diabetes in Australia.

Media release issue date: Monday, 19 June 2023

A parliamentary committee inquiry will hear from Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at a public hearing on Tuesday 20 June 2023. The hearing will be held at Parliament House as part of the Health Committee’s inquiry into diabetes in Australia. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘The Hearing will be an opportunity for the Committee to hear from major peak bodies which each play a critical role in improving diabetes prevention, treatment and care, advocating for policies and funding around diabetes, and supporting Australians living with diabetes.’ ‘The Committee looks forward to hearing evidence from these organisations, including about new advances in the prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetes that may be emerging either in Australia or internationally’ stated Dr Freelander.   The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, said: ‘The Committee will also hear from a 15-year-old girl in my community living with type 1 diabetes and her mother, about their personal experiences with this health condition that affects more than 130,000 Australians.’ ‘Since my athletic and healthy 20-year-old son was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after having COVID-19, I am learning firsthand about the significant impacts that type 1 diabetes can have on people’s lives’, Mrs McIntosh said. The Committee intends to hold more public hearings in due course. Interested parties are encouraged to make a submission to this inquiry by 31 August 2023. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website. Hearing details Tuesday, 20 June 2023 – 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm AEST – Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House Canberra The hearing will be live broadcast via the Parliament’s Watch, Read, Listen website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

The broader impacts of diabetes on Australia’s health system and economy, and recent advances in the prevention and management of this significant health condition, will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House Health Committee.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 30 May 2023

The broader impacts of diabetes on Australia’s health system and economy, and recent advances in the prevention and management of this significant health condition, will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House Health Committee. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, stated: ‘Diabetes is the world’s fastest growing chronic health condition, currently impacting approximately 1.3 million Australians. There are multiple forms of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, gestational and other rare types. The Committee looks forward to conducting this inquiry to better understand the current situation regarding diabetes in Australia, including the effectiveness of current Australian Government policies and programs aiming to prevent, diagnose and manage the condition.’ ‘The Inquiry will be broad and will also look at lifestyle factors and the interaction between lifestyle, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity’ stated Dr Freelander. ‘The Committee looks forward to hearing from individuals with diabetes, healthcare service providers, researchers, peak bodies, the Australian Government, state and territory governments and members of the public to understand new evidence-based advances in the prevention and management of the condition, and the broader impacts of diabetes on Australia’s health system and economy’ he said. Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by 31 August 2023. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au