Additional comments from Labor Senators

Introductory remarks

1.1Labor Senators thank those who have given evidence to the committee for their contributions throughout the inquiry.

1.2We give our particular thanks to those witnesses who shared their personal experiences with rare cancers. The value of this evidence cannot be overstated, and we acknowledge where it has required courage and generosity to share.

1.3As cancer treatment has developed in Australia and internationally, greater awareness of rare and less common cancers has increased. Whilst increased awareness is welcome, the evidence to the inquiry is clear that this has not translated to equity in outcomes for patients with these cancers compared to patients with more common cancers.

1.4Labor Senators note the significant role of state and territory governments in providing and allocating funding for treatment and support for patients with rare and less common cancers, alongside the leadership of the Commonwealth Government.

Investment in improving cancer outcomes

1.5Through the Australian Cancer Plan, the Albanese Labor Government has made a major commitment to improve cancer care in Australia – for patients of all cancer types. The Albanese Labor Government committed more than $700 million to the plan’s implementation in the 2023-24 Budget.

1.6Crucial to this plan is an investment in support services for patients, including for patients of rare and less common cancers.

1.7As evidence to the committee has made clear, these support services are vital in assisting patients and their families to navigate complex care pathways, and to deal with the life-changing news of a diagnosis, and the treatment, of these cancers.

1.8The Albanese Labor Government also recognises the importance of investment in research focussing on these cancers to improve treatment of rare and less common cancers. Further, the Albanese Labor Government is committed to reform of health technology assessment policies and methods so that Australians have access to the best medicines.

1.9To this end, the Albanese Labor Government recently announced a new 10-year Low Survival Cancers Mission as part of a $1.89 billion investment in health and medical research, including $1.4 billion for the Medical Research Future Fund, as part of its “Health Research for a Future Made in Australia” package. This makes a total commitment to the Medical Research Future Fund of $6.4 billion over 13 years in research funding.

1.10In the 2024-25 Budget, the Albanese Labor Government will also provide $18.8 million over two years from 2024–25 to continue the development of the National One Stop Shop for Clinical Trials and Human Research and support current systems. The National One Stop Shop will make it much easier for patients to access clinical trials and therapeutic interventions, and improve the ability of industry, sponsors, and researchers to find, invest and conduct research in Australia.

1.11Further, the Albanese Labor Government is acting on community concerns that people are being dissuaded from taking genetic tests for fear of discrimination in accessing life insurance. The Albanese Labor Government has released a consultation paper considering options to address the use of genetic testing results in life insurance underwriting, which aims to ensure that consumers can continue to access affordable life insurance while maximising the significant health benefits provided by genetic testing.

1.12Labor Senators note the evidence to the inquiry regarding barriers to My Health Record enabling quality care and more timely diagnosis and treatment. Labor Senators see value in mandating the upload of clinical records to My Health Record, subject to patient opt in, to enable patient and doctor access to patient records across different clinical institutions.

Conclusion

1.13Labor Senators again acknowledge all those who made submissions, appeared at the hearings, and shared their lived experiences with our committee.

1.14Labor Senators support the recommendations of the Committee Report and reaffirm our commitment to improve outcomes and equity for patients with rare and less common cancers.

Senator Marielle SmithSenator Louise Pratt