Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is also to the Minister for Health and Ageing about cancer treatment. Minister, are you aware that new digital technology allows a mammogram, a life-saving tool in the battle against breast cancer, to be viewed, stored and transmitted electronically if there is a fast enough broadband connection available? Given that this would allow a digital scan to be taken in a rural area, such as the electorate of the member for Page, and sent to the specialist in the nearest CBD for immediate analysis, when will you take up the fight on behalf of breast cancer patients and convince your cabinet colleagues that matching Labor’s commitment to delivering high-speed broadband service across the country could help in the battle against breast cancer?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the minister, I remind the member for Gellibrand that she should not use the words ‘you’ or ‘your’ in her question.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the member for Gellibrand had done her homework, she would know that the federal government two years ago established the $69 million Broadband for Health initiative and that under this initiative more than 80 per cent of pharmacies and nearly 80 per cent of general practices already have broadband.