As we approach the end of the year, this is a timely motion to be discussing here in the Federation Chamber. From Burleigh Heads to Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra and Coolangatta, our beaches on the southern Gold Coast are central to who we are. They attract visitors from across Australia and around the world. We all know on the southern Gold Coast that we have something special, because our beautiful weather and our outdoor lifestyle are among our greatest assets, but they do also come with the responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the dangers of excessive UV exposure.

This is an acute issue in my electorate. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the Coolangatta statistical area recorded Australia's highest age-standardised melanoma incidence rate in 2017 to 2021 at 121.4 cases per 100,000 people. Broadbeach to Burleigh was second at 116.4 cases. These are broader statistical areas not simply the individual suburbs, but they show us why skin cancer awareness is not simply a national health issue but a very real concern for families across the Gold Coast. As a country, we have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime. Cancer Australia's estimates for 2025 include 17,443 new melanoma diagnoses and 1,455 deaths from the disease. Importantly, behind each and every one of those statistics is an individual, a family and a community.

I'd like to particularly take this opportunity to acknowledge our surf life saving clubs and volunteers, who spend countless hours on our beaches, keeping locals and visitors safe. Whether it's a young nipper starting out at Palm Beach, a volunteer surf lifesaver spending their weekend on patrol at Currumbin or a family enjoying an afternoon at Burleigh Heads, protecting ourselves from the sun should become second nature. From our nippers through to our dedicated volunteers who patrol our beaches, Surf Life Saving provides an opportunity to instil sun safe habits from a young age, and I thank all those involved in doing so. Childhood sunburn can approximately double the risk of developing melanoma later in life, so it's those habits that we teach our children when they're young that can protect them for decades to come.

This year marks 45 years of the campaign Slip, Slop, Slap. I think we all grew up with that campaign, and it did its part in getting the message of being sun smart out to our Australian community. The message has since evolved into five simple steps: slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF 50-plus sunscreen, slap on a broad brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. Sun protection is not only important at the beach, though; it's equally relevant to our tradies, landscapers, outdoor workers, sporting clubs and everyone who spends extended periods outdoors because we know that UV radiation cannot be seen or felt. Even on cooler or cloudy days, Australians should check the UV index and use sun protection when it reaches three or above. Protection is our first line of defence, but early detection is equally important, and Australians should get to know their skin and seek medical advice when they notice new or changing spots, moles or unusual lesions. We should also recognise Australia's world-leading researchers, medical professionals and cancer advocates, whose work has transformed the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma.

When people or governments in this place do something good, we should acknowledge that, so today I acknowledge the Commonwealth's $15 million investment in national skin cancer prevention campaigns and their $10.3 million commitment to accelerate development of a targeted screening road map, because improving prevention, early detection and treatment is an objective that must enjoy the support of all sides of this House. National Skin Cancer Action Week is a timely reminder for Australians to make sun protection part of their everyday routine. For those of us fortunate enough to call the southern Gold Coast home, enjoying the outdoors is part of our way of life. Protecting ourselves from the sun is how we make sure we can continue enjoying that lifestyle for years to come.