World Haemochromatosis Week (1-7 June 2023)

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Today brings to a close another successful World Haemochromatosis Week (1-7 June 2023) 🩸

Haemochromatosis Australia uses this campaign to raise awareness of some important facts about the genetic disorder:

– Haemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in Australia

– If you are one of the 1 in 200 affected, it can cause serious health problems

– Ask your doctor to find out if you are storing too much iron

If you experience any of the early symptoms of haemochromatosis, such as muscle aches, joint pain or fatigue, now is a good time to get your iron tested.

Thank you to state and local authorities for lighting up Tasmanian landmarks in red in recognition of World Haemochromatosis Week:

🚨 Council Offices, Burnie

🚨 Paranaple Convention Centre, Devonport (when not in use)

🚨 Tasman Bridge, Hobart

🚨 Town Hall, Launceston

🚨 Waratah Wynyard Municipal Services Building, Wynyard

These are among 125 participating landmarks across Australia.

Thank a First Responder Day

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Today is Thank a First Responder Day.

Not only do these people keep our community safe – they work irregular hours and take on great personal risks in jobs that can be physically and emotionally demanding. Many of them are unpaid volunteers.

Thank you to the 300,000 first responders across Australia – including firefighters, paramedics, police officers, triple zero operators, surf lifesavers and SES crew – for everything they do for us and our community.

Rare Cancer Awareness Month

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Today is the beginning of Rare Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign to celebrate and support Australians affected by rare cancer in the leadup to Rare Cancers Awareness Day on Monday 26 June.

Rare cancers present unique and complex challenges. They may face high costs and receive limited support, education and treatment options due to limited knowledge, expertise, research and investment.

This is why one-on-one, personalised support is critical.

If you want to help Rare Cancers Australia in their mission to improve the lives of people diagnosed with rare and less common cancers you can fundraise at https://www.rarecancers.org.au/page/110/fundraise-for-rca or find resources to promote Rare Cancer Awareness Day at https://www.rarecancers.org.au/…/rare-cancers-awareness…

World No Tobacco Day

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Today is World No Tobacco Day.

Labor has a proud history of implementing world leading anti-smoking policies including our plan packaging laws. These measures have seen a steep reduction in tobacco consumption since 2012.

Sadly, the progress we’ve made is at risk because vaping is creating a new generation of nicotine dependency. Young people who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking, and this poses a major threat to our success in tobacco control.

This is why the Albanese Labor Government is taking strong action on vaping. For details visit https://www.health.gov.au/…/taking-action-on-smoking…

Bruny Island Men’s Shed

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Pleased to give a donation of essential supplies to the Bruny Island Men’s Shed, collected by James Bunker.

Men’s and community sheds are an important mental health initiative which provide a range of other social and community benefits. This is especially important for remote communities like Bruny Island.

I would like to thank all the Bruny Island Men’s shed volunteers for the important work they do in their community.

New Urgent Care Clinics

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We’re opening not one, but TWO, new bulk-billed urgent care clinics in Hobart.

The clinics will help ease pressure on Tasmanian hospitals and give families more options to see a healthcare professional when and where they need it.

We will deliver four urgent care clinics across Tasmania, including one in Devonport and one in Launceston.

ABC Interview for National Redress Committee

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Yesterday I caught up with Matt Doran on ABC News 24’s Afternoon Briefing for a chat about the work of the Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, which I chair.

As well as speaking to the Department of Social Services and National Redress Scheme services, the Committee is keen to hear about the experiences of people who have applied for the scheme.

Information about the Committee’s inquiry and how to make a submission is available here: https://www.aph.gov.au/…/National_Redress…/Redress47

Watch the interview here

National Library Funding Pledge

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The Albanese Labor Government will provide the National Library of Australia with $33 million over four years and $9.2 million per year in indexed ongoing funding.

The previous Liberal government left the future of Trove hanging in the balance, only funding the program to June 2023.

Trove is Australia’s digital memory, and as long-time advocate for our national cultural institutions, including Trove, I am delighted to part of the government that is securing its future.

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In six months of the Albanese Labor Government’s Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, we have helped over 4,700 Australians – including 77 Tasmanians – into home ownership.

Congratulations to Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins MP on this fantastic achievement.

This builds on other measures that the Albanese Government has already delivered to help tackle housing and homelessness challenges in Australia:

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