Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Inherited cancers, like those caused by the BRCA gene and Lynch syndrome mutations, carry significant lifetime risk of cancer for individuals and families. These mutations pass silently through generations, often without symptoms, until cancer develops.

Early genetic testing can change outcomes, as inherited cancers are often predictable and avoidable through preventive care. Across Australia, access to genetic testing is limited by eligibility rules, costs and geographical barriers, especially in regional and rural areas, like my home state of Tasmania.

Historically, there have been situations where insurers have weaponised genetic information, including predictive test results from healthy individuals, when assessing applications for life, disability and income protection insurance. People could be denied cover or charged higher premiums not because they are unwell but because they might develop cancer in the future. This is unethical and dangerous. As a result, some Australians delay testing out of fear, risking the deferral of diagnoses and potential lifesaving treatment. In 2024 the government committed to legislating a ban on using adverse genetic test results in life insurance underwriting. To date this has not been prioritised by the Albanese government, but is urgently required to ensure all Australians can make informed health choices without fear of discrimination.

Today is Inherited Cancers Awareness Day which is coordinated by Inherited Cancers Australia to support the 16,500 Australians diagnosed annually with inherited cancers. The campaign promotes education, peer support and tools, like the family health history mapping form, to help families understand their risk and to take action. Inherited cancers screening offers an important opportunity to prevent illness before it starts, but only if our systems, laws and services support early action. I congratulate Inherited Cancers Australia for their work and advocacy in this area. (Time expired)