Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise this evening to thank once again Dementia Australia and all the MPs and senators who attended the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event here today at Parliament House, along with my new co-chair Senator Askew. The title of today's event on dementia was so very fitting—'Nobody can do it alone'. As I said at today's event, it isn't just advice for anyone living with dementia; in fact, it's great advice for the journey of life.

September is a significant time for advocates in the dementia space. It is World Alzheimer's Month and, in the lead-up to Dementia Action Week from 15 September to 21 September, the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia and Dementia Australia were delighted today to set the agenda for the 48th Parliament to commit to our cause, which is to make life better for people living with dementia and those who care for them. We heard today dementia is soon to become Australia's leading cause of death. This is the reality we face, but we as a nation face it together. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, who spoke at the event today. He's a true champion for people with dementia and those who care for people with dementia. It was evident today when he spoke so passionately about what the Albanese Labor government is doing in this dementia space.

People living with dementia, their families and their carers are depending on us in this place to get the policy settings right so we can meet the challenges of this disease. The Albanese Labor government has undertaken significant initiatives to enhance funding for dementia care, support services and cutting-edge research, signalling a commitment to improving the lives of those affected and finding solutions for the future. Since coming to office in May 2022, the Albanese Labor government has prioritised aged-care reform, with dementia care at its heart. The government's increased funding is designed to ensure that Australians living with dementia, estimated to be over 400,000 people, can access quality care that is tailored to their unique needs. Major budgetary allocation has strengthened the aged-care sector by supporting more dementia-friendly environments, training for care workers in dementia-specific skills and expanding access to specialist services, such as memory clinics and dementia advisory services.

Today really was a day to hear from our inspiring dementia advocates, and they did not disappoint. We heard from Sue Watts, a fellow Tasmanian. Sue's husband lived with dementia and Parkinson's disease. He lived in residential aged care for three years and then passed away from Parkinson's disease complications in June 2024. Today, Sue advocated with vigour for more money to go into ensuring that there is mandatory dementia training for all Australians working in the dementia care sector. Gina Callan also spoke today. She's a mum, wife, grandmother and dog owner who has recently been diagnosed with younger onset dementia and ADHD at 59 years of age. She has transitioned from working as a civil marriage celebrant and a relationship and emotional fitness coach to focusing on her health and her family while continuing to study and do advocacy and voluntary work. Alongside her husband, Gina has engaged in dementia related training and now advocates for better community awareness of brain health and the need for a navigational blueprint and a well-trained workforce to care for people of all ages.

But we still have a long way to go to break down the myth that dementia only impacts older Australians. It doesn't. There's childhood dementia, where most children with that diagnosis won't see out their teenage years—and that's devastating. We heard from a mum today who has not one child but two children that, every day, she's losing. So a big shout-out to all the advocates.

We really do need early intervention, but we need to start with advocating for more in terms of brain health. If we fund and do research we will find that investing and making sure people are aware that eating a good diet, exercising and getting your sleep—and don't drink too much and don't smoke—will be beneficial for your entire life and will save governments money. (Time expired)