Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to congratulate the member for Fraser for bringing this really important motion to the House and the member for McPherson for her contribution to the debate. She identified the fact that here in Australia we are now experiencing a wave of people who are suffering from the late effects of polio and that GPs are not familiar with polio and its late effects. It can quite often be passed over fairly easily.

My grandfather had polio. He died when I was about 10 or 11. I remember that he had callipers on his legs, which restricted the way he could get around. I also know that the mother of the member for Ballarat suffered from polio. It really was endemic here in Australia. People of my age were the first generation in this country that did not have to fear contracting polio. I remember the vaccinations first started coming out when I was in school. We lined up, were given the jab and that was the start of the eradication of polio in this country. The member for Fraser is saying that it should not finish with what is happening here in Australia. We should work to see polio eradicated globally. We cannot be comfortable in the knowledge that polio is not prevalent in our society here in Australia until it has been eradicated globally.

It is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. Many people lost their lives or had their lives changed irreparably because they contracted polio. It is highly infectious and is caused by a virus. Polio is one of a limited number of diseases that only affect humans. A safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine exists that will lead to eradication. Immunity is lifelong and the virus can only survive for a very short period of time. Studies of the cost-effectiveness of polio eradication have demonstrated that it is feasible to work to control and eradicate it because it is much more cost effective to make sure that polio no longer is a disease that can affect anyone throughout the world. Given the current rates of routine immunisation and the relative weakness of the health systems in many parts of the world's countries like those identified in the motion by the member for Fraser—Afghanistan, Nigeria, India and Pakistan—and given that their health systems are not as robust as our health system, it makes it all the more important for us as a nation to support those countries. The global project, the end of polio campaign, was launched on 25 July. It is a 100-day campaign. It is timed to coincide with the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth between 28 and 30 October. It is a campaign that all Australians should get behind because the eradication of this debilitating disease, polio, is imperative not only for Australia but globally. I would also like to acknowledge the fine work that is being done by non-government organisations. Rotary International are mentioned in this particular motion by the member for Fraser. I would like to acknowledge the work that they have done in contributing to the eradication of polio.

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