Senate debates

Wednesday, 10 May 2017

Motions

World Multiple Sclerosis Day

5:07 pm

Photo of David BushbyDavid Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator O'Neill, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) World MS Day takes place on 31 May 2017 with the theme "Life with MS", and

  (ii) MS Australia seeks to raise awareness of what life with MS is like;

(b) recognises that:

  (i) people are four times more likely to be diagnosed with MS if they are born in Tasmania, compared to the national average and 7 times more likely than if they were born in North Queensland,

  (ii) MS is the most common neurological condition diagnosed in young adults,

  (iii) MS is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, and 75 per cent of people diagnosed are women, and

  (iv) there is no known cause or cure;

(c) acknowledges the important role of families, friends and carers of people living with MS; and

(d) confirms the need for continued action to:

  (i) increase the investment in research to find the cause and a cure for MS and other conditions, and

  (ii) improve access to support from the first experience of symptoms, through diagnosis, treatment and ongoing disease management.

Question agreed to.