Senate debates Adjournment
Dementia, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Helen Polley Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
8:35 pm
I want to put on the record how wonderful the first Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event for 2024 was. Today in this building we heard from wonderful advocates of this terrible disease. Tears were shared, laughs were had, and we were all taken aback by the dementia journey that many in that room were on. I would like to first put on record my deepest respect for the outgoing CEO of Dementia Australia, the inspiring Maree McCabe, AM. I want to thank her for her inspiring leadership of Dementia Australia over many years. Maree, I wish you and your family all the very best for the future. I am wishing you health and happiness in your next chapter, wherever that chapter may be.
I'd also like to acknowledge Professor Graeme Samuel for his contribution as the outgoing chair of Dementia Australia. What a fantastic advocate he was. The difference is that, when you've had a family member who has been on that journey of dementia, it gives you great passion and insight. So to both Maree and Graeme I say: thank you for everything you have done, and I know you will continue to advocate on this very important issue.
I'd also like to welcome the new chair of Dementia Australia, Merran Kelsall, AO. In welcoming you to the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia, I look forward to continuing the proud legacy of this group with you and to forging and continuing to develop a very strong relationship with you and to continuing that relationship with Dementia Australia, the pre-eminent organisation for helping all Australians with a dementia diagnosis and their families on the journey of dementia.
Today's event was extremely important. Dementia Australia spoke to their budget submission, and I'm very proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government, which, since coming to the office, has put dementia on the map. We up improving residential aged care, with better pay and conditions for those working in the aged-care sector, which gives that important care. It's so important that, when you get acknowledged through your remuneration, the workforce appreciates that confidence that you're placing in them; therefore, the care results do improve. We have a nurse 24/7 in over 99 per cent of residential aged care now across the country, and we're improving the food quality for residents.
We're also taking away the stigma that is associated with a dementia diagnosis. The more we can learn from people with the lived experience and from carers and loved ones who have cared for people living with dementia, the better we all are. This makes for better informed policy responses and care plans for Australians living with dementia and those who will be diagnosed going forward. We can all learn from one another, and it's important that we do.
At the event today we also heard from Dr Rowena Mobbs who talked about CTE, which is a brain condition linked to repeated injuries or concussions which lead to dementia. It's often associated with trauma to the head and with people involved in contact sports, but it's not just contact sports. It's road trauma, it's domestic violence, it's cyclists and it's basketball players who have been affected by head trauma. It can be that knocking to the head—not just concussion, but the repeated knocking. In a domestic violence situation where a woman is being slapped around repeatedly, you can imagine that shaking of the head. We know how terrible it is when little babies die from being shaken by a perpetrator. It's just like that.
But we also heard from the sporting great Wally Lewis AM, former Australian professional rugby player and better known, as I understand it, as 'the King'. I did confess, at the event this morning when I spoke, that I'm an AFL girl and I don't really understand that game, but I know who Wally is and I know what a great player he was.
Also on that panel today we heard from Lynn McGregor, Robin McGilligan and panel facilitator Pat Walsh, who informed us about what a CTE diagnosis means and what living with CTE means day to day. And I have to acknowledge Wally Lewis and those people who spoke on the panel. It takes a great deal of courage to open up and talk about the things that you are experiencing on a day-to-day level. And when you think of someone like Wally Lewis—and this happens to everyone, not just celebrities or great sportspeople—you become so vulnerable; you really do. You've had an inspirational life as a rugby league legend. He relived some of the embarrassments that he's been through, like the severe pain and the memory loss. In his workplace he was very fortunate because the television station has supported him all the way through. But when crossing from a live event—you're reading a script and then you go live—he couldn't remember whether he was at the beginning of the presentation, in the middle or at the end. This is what happens, and this was the beginning of the disease and how it's manifesting itself.
His short-term memory has left him, and he now relies on a daily diary, and he's so proud of that diary. He is very fortunate, because he has a very supportive partner and family to get him through those days. He advocated great education and understanding for those wishing to play a contact sport so that everyone understands the risks associated with continuing knocks to the head. And it's important, as he said, that you don't have this conversation with young players just after their first season; you have two continue to educate.
I'd also like to place on record my deep appreciation for the fact that Wally has taken on the role of our newest Dementia Australia ambassador. The story of the heartbreaking cycling accident which has led Robin McGilligan to be diagnosed with probable CTE was also harrowing. This man had his life changed after a cycling accident that left him with severe headaches, confusion and anger behaviour. He changed from a competent corporate lawyer and a loving father to a man he didn't want to be.
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Polley, if you could just pause for a moment—Senator Kovacic?
Maria Kovacic NSW, Liberal Party
I've been waiting here for over an hour and 15 minutes, as the schedule has shifted around over and over.
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
If you are seeking a point of order—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
No. Senator Scarr was the first speaker when no-one jumped up before then. We immediately went into 10 minutes right from the outset. Some people spoke for less than 10 minutes, as a courtesy to the chamber. But under the standing orders anyone can now speak for 10, because that is what—
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
We weren't told that by the last speaker—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
I beg your pardon? Senator Thorpe!
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
We weren't told that by the last speaker! We were told by the person—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Thorpe, sit down now! You won't get the call at all unless you sit down now. Senator Scarr?
Paul Scarr Queensland, Liberal Party
Acting Deputy President, my understanding was that we were going through the 10 minutes and then we were starting with the five minutes with Senator McCarthy. So, Senator McCarthy has spoken. Senator Sharma spoke. We're now onto Senator Polley. My understanding—and I think the Acting Deputy President who was in the chair indicated we were on five minutes—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Scarr, I understand what the President indicated. Senator McCarthy spoke for 10 minutes—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
and that is because she had agreement to move from the list to do a 10-minute speech. So, I'm just going according to the standing orders.
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senators! It is a courtesy to the chamber—
Stop! Stop interjecting, Senator Thorpe, and I will tell you what the rules are.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
Wake up, because you've been asleep in that chair, and I have a mother who lost a son to your system—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Thorpe, sit down now!
Senator Thorpe, you will come to order.
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Thorpe, I've been listening intently to the speeches before me—
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Polley's speech on dementia and the speech on concussion, which I note you were taking a deep interest in because of your parliamentary work.
Senator Kovacic, I'm sure you're very glad you took a point of order! Please, both of you sit down and I will allow Senator Polley to continue. Senator Polley, you have the call.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
We were told five minutes. How can you as the chair change the rules? How can you come in and change the rules?
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
How come all of us heard one thing and you heard something different?
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Polley, you have the call.
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Thorpe, what is your point of order?
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Kovacic, you're on your feet. Senator Polley, my apologies.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
Where's the President? Where's the President? Where's the President?
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Senator Kovacic, what's your point of order, please?
Maria Kovacic NSW, Liberal Party
I have been on my feet for quite some time—
Maria Kovacic NSW, Liberal Party
I'm ready to sit down. I don't think it's appropriate for to you reflect on whether I'm happy that I raised a point of order. I raised it because it was appropriate and we wanted to understand when we would be able to speak. I don't think that was too much for either of us to ask.
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party
Thank you, Senator Kovacic, I will reflect on that as chair. Senator Thorpe?
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
I'd like, respectfully, for your conduct to be reviewed by the President, who should be in the seat dealing with this issue right now because we are being done over by you and them.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
Point of order, now that the President is in the chair—
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, the way adjournment operates is by agreement. Senator McGrath made an ruling earlier because when we went to adjournment tonight there was not one senator on the five-minute list in the chamber, so he quite properly went to the 10-minute speakers and then reverted to the five-minute speakers. Senator Pratt has explained that. Senator Polley has the call. I'm going to give her the call.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
A point of order. That was not properly explained [inaudible]—
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, please resume your seat. I'm not entertaining any more points of order. Please resume your seat. I've ordered and the matter is finished with. I have been watching adjournment since it began.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
Of course you have, so you should know.
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, resume your seat. I will order that you no longer be heard.
Senator Thorpe, you will no longer be heard.
Helen Polley Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
I was about to conclude my remarks—
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
Point of order: are you telling me that I can't be heard? Because I want to know. Is that right? Is that what's happening?
Sue Lines President
Senator Polley, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, I have ordered that you no longer be heard. Please resume your seat.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
I'm not going to leave this chamber. I will read now.
Helen Polley Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
As I was saying, President, I was about to conclude my remarks on what I think—
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
[inaudible] her words with you: 'The last time I saw my son Josh he was in shackles. He'd been let out on prison on leave to attend his Uncle Bruce's funeral. After the service, as I walked him back to the police van, he stopped to cuddle everyone, and I thought, "Is he going to say goodbye to me or what?" Before he got in the van, he turned to me. "I love you, Mum," he said. "I love you too, son," I said. "I'll see you when you come out." "Yeah, Mum. I'll come home." We had the biggest cuddle. Those were our last words. Everybody—
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
I ask that the Senate now be adjourned.
Question agreed to.
Senate adjourned at 20:49