Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge Lung Health Awareness Month, which takes place throughout May, and to recognise the work of Lung Foundation Australia. Lung health is something many of us do not think about until breathing becomes difficult. But, for many Australians, lung disease and lung cancer are part of daily life.

Lung Foundation Australia has been working for more than 30 years to support people living with lung disease and lung cancer, along with families, carers, health professionals and researchers. Their message this month is simple and important: take your lung health seriously. A persistent cough, breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, repeated chest infections or unexplained tiredness should not be ignored. These symptoms can have many causes, but they are worth checking. Too often, people put off seeing a doctor because they are busy, they think symptoms will go away or they do not want to make a fuss. But early advice can make a real difference. It can help people get the right care sooner, manage symptoms better and, in some cases, detect serious conditions earlier.

Lung Foundation Australia provides trusted information and support through its lung health helpline, peer support programs, resources and advocacy. In 2025, the foundation supported more than 7,000 lung health related inquiries through its helpline and helped thousands of people access information and support.

This month is also a reminder that lung health is for everyone. If you have smoked, worked in a dusty environment, lived with asthma or had repeated chest infections, it's worth going and speaking to your GP or a health professional. I encourage Australians to use Lung Health Awareness Month as a prompt to check in with their health. If something does not feel right, speak to a GP or health professional.