Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to the late Peta Murphy by announcing a $1.5 million investment to improve outcomes for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Ms Murphy, who died in December, was a strong supporter of breast cancer research and care, especially during her four-year parliamentary career.
Just days before her death, Ms Murphy had been in Canberra to launch a new report at Breast Cancer Network Australia, calling for a national picture of metastatic cancers.
The Prime Minister heeded her call when he made the announcement at a breast cancer event in Dunkley – the electorate Ms Murphy held and is now facing a by-election.
Ms Murphy, who died in December, was a strong supporter of breast cancer research and care, especially during her four-year parliamentary career
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) is seen visiting Frankston Hospital on Saturday to make the breast cancer announcement
The money will accelerate the collection of data on cancer stage and cancer recurrence in Australia, which he noted is critical to identifying patterns of delayed cancer diagnosis, recurrence and survival, and would improve equity in promote cancer outcomes.
“At this time I would like to mention one in particular: our friend who is very much in our thoughts today. Peta Murphy meant so much to so many: a friend, an inspiration, a great parliamentarian, a great voice for her community here in Dunkley,” Mr Albanese said.
“I will always be impressed that Peta thought of others even to the end.
‘I wish Peta was here now. I know we all do. But she would have been happy if this happened.
‘Sometimes you need a better map to find the way forward, sometimes you need a brighter light to read the way. I am confident that this registry will be a little bit of both.”
The investment includes funding for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to establish the Australian Cancer Data Alliance, and funding for jurisdiction-based cancer registries to expand data collection capabilities.
Mr Albanese at Ms Murphy’s funeral at the MCG in December last year
Vicki Durston, from Breast Cancer Network Australia, said Ms Murphy “would have been so incredibly proud that we are now closer to ensuring that many thousands of Australians with metastatic breast cancer will no longer be hidden in plain sight.”
‘This funding is an important step forward and will help the sector lead and pioneer the collection of this important data to inform and drive policy, innovation, planning, treatment and care.
“Now we can begin to consolidate a path forward to better quality data, not just for breast cancer, but for all metastatic cancers.”
Health Minister Mark Butler said collecting this data would lead to a “better understanding of the symptoms people have, how their cancer is diagnosed, how they respond to treatment and how their cancer develops over time ‘.
Mr Albanese stopped at the Frankston Bowling Club during the trip to Melbourne