Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I welcome the announcement over the weekend by the Prime Minister that the federal government is providing $13 million in funding over 10 years to Telethon Kids Institute and the Joondalup Health Campus in my electorate for a comprehensive health study into chronic child health problems. The study will explore the causality of Australia's growing and debilitating chronic illnesses to identify and implement interventions. The Paul Ramsay Foundation will be matching the funding dollar for dollar, which will result in a combined $26 million in funding being spent on the ORIGINS Project, which will follow a cohort of 10,000 children for five years from birth.

The study will focus on how a child's early environment, including the period before birth, influences the risk of a broad range of chronic health problems such as asthma, autism, diabetes and obesity. Researchers will then identify and implement ways to reduce risks for children, placing Australia at the forefront of international long-term child health research.

I wish to acknowledge the work of the Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon. Mathias Cormann, in securing this funding. I look forward to working with the Chief Executive Officer of the Joondalup Health Campus, Kempton Cowan, and Professor Desiree Silva, head of paediatrics, to advance the services available at the hospital as the next stage of expansion is being planned to meet population growth.