Guy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald acknowledges that, and others do too because he made diabetes a national health priority and we had a lot of action and initiatives under the coalition when we were in government.

With respect to obesity, this government adopted my recommendation in my 2006 book. They adopted the recommendation to make obesity a national health priority. I commend the government on accepting that suggestion and recommendation. But what have they done? Not much. Obesity leads to diabetes, cancer, heart disease and a range of other health complications. In Senate estimates last week we revealed that obesity in the Defence Force was very high, at 14 per cent, and obesity and overweight at 62 per cent—and that is on par with the US.

With respect to the Practice Incentives Program, I will leave it there. There is a short amount of time left and I want other senators to have the opportunity to express their views. But this is an important matter. The government is on notice; Minister Roxon is on notice. We will be watching this with great interest for and on behalf of those people with diabetes and their families around Australia. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.