David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

H (—) (): Type 1 diabetes is a life-changing chronic illness, one that affects some 1.8 million Australians. The impacts of this illness can be felt in every aspect of a person's life and requires 24/7 monitoring, including extensive blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration. Those with diabetes are required to pay attention to the food they eat, the exercise they do, the stress they're under and myriad factors that can impact their blood sugars.

The government's introduction of the continuous glucose monitoring subsidy takes a lot of the guesswork out of the illness, and has the potential to save type 1 diabetics up to $5,000 per year. There are approximately 830 people living in Bean with type 1 diabetes. Following the rollout of the CGM subsidy every person will now have access to the technology, at a maximum cost of $32.50. Previously, over 450 type 1 diabetics would have missed out.

The CGM allows blood glucose levels to be measured consistently and alerts the patient to high and low blood sugars before they have even occurred. Such technology provides diabetics with a degree of comfort, knowing that they have a little bit more freedom to go on with their lives and removing the fear of competing everyday activities. The impact of this subsidy cannot be underestimated.