Mike Symon (Deakin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

May 26th marked the third World Multiple Sclerosis Day. I commend the work of MS Australia and MS organisations around the world for raising the profile of this disease that affects more than 20,000 Australians.

I also commend the member for Chisholm for her motion to mark this day, which she brought to the House on Monday, 30 May. Due to the popularity of that motion, I was unable to secure a speaking spot at the time, so do so in this adjournment debate today.

The global theme for World MS Day 2011 is employment. Staying at work is a key concern for people diagnosed with MS, as they are likely to be diagnosed in their early adult years, a vital time for establishing a career and starting a family.

The headquarters of MS Australia is at The Nerve Centre in Blackburn, which is in my electorate of Deakin. The locality of the organisation has assisted me to foster an excellent relationship with the many dedicated people who work there. I frequently meet with Alan Blackwood and Robert Pask. Robert Pask is a MS sufferer himself and is known to many people in this House.

See this speech in context