Department of Health and Aged Care

Anne Ruston

I move:

There be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than midday on Wednesday, 10 July 2024:

(a) all documents and communications between the Minister for Health and Aged Care (the minister) and the Prime Minister regarding the decision not to fund treatment for children with high risk neuroblastoma;

(b) all documents held by the Department of Health and Aged Care relating to the funding of treatment for children with high-risk neuroblastoma; and

(c) all documents held by the office for the minister relating to the funding of treatment for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

Anthony Chisholm

by leave—The government does not support this motion. We are doing everything we can, as quickly as we can, to work with the supplier of DFMO and provide some relief to children and families battling neuroblastoma. The government is deeply concerned about the situation faced by children with neuroblastoma in Australia, and the health minister is continuing to work with all parties, including Neuroblastoma Australia and the Australian sponsor of DFMO, to bring a treatment forward for these children and future children. The priority is for children to be able to access safe treatment, preferably in Australian hospitals. In Australia, the sponsor of the drug DFMO has applied to the TGA for its registration for the treatment of neuroblastoma. The TGA has begun a priority review of the application. The minister is examining all options for interim funding for DFMO while the TGA evaluation process is ongoing.

Sue Lines

Senators, may I remind you that all advisers in this place need to be seated at all times.

Jordon Steele-John

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted.

Jordon Steele-John

The Greens will not be supporting this motion today, but we do support the principles behind this motion and believe that greater funding should be given to both children with neuroblastoma and child care more generally. I note the contribution in last night's debate by Senator Peter Whish-Wilson on behalf of his constituents in Tasmania who are journeying with this terrible cancer. However, we do not believe that the timeframe given by this motion is reasonable. The Greens will consider revisiting this issue in the next week of sitting.

Sue Lines

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 557, standing in the name of Senator Ruston, be agreed to.