Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that Senator Siewert's name be added to notice of motion 647 standing in the name of Senator Polley.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is so added.

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Polley and Senator Siewert, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) there are currently 413 106 Australians living with dementia, with around 244 people diagnosed with dementia each day,

  (ii) more than 500 000 Australians will have dementia by 2025 and more than 1 million by 2050, and

  (iii) dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women and, within the next five years, will be the leading cause of death for all Australians;

(b) acknowledges that:

  (i) people living with dementia, their families and carers are significantly lonelier than the general public, and

  (ii) for many of us, Christmas represents joy, happiness and time with family and loved ones, but for others it can be a very sad and lonely time; and

(c) urges all levels of Government to:

  (i) keep those living with dementia, their families and carers in mind this Christmas, and

  (ii) continue raising awareness of dementia within their communities so that people living with dementia and their families feel less isolated and alone.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government is strongly committed to making a difference to people living with dementia as well as their carers and their families. The government has committed $200 million over five years, to 2019, to boost Australia's research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of dementia. We've also committed more than $30 million between 2012 and 2017 to projects aimed at addressing many of the recommendations of both the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing report Thinking ahead: report on the inquiry into dementia: early diagnosis and interventionand the Senate Community Affairs References Committee report Care and management of younger and older Australians living with dementia and behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia.

Question agreed to.