First, an enormous thank you to all who have taken part or supported someone undertaking the iconic May 50K, our single most important fundraising event for MS research. Your support – as a participant, donor or supporter – is critically important for Australian MS research.
Your dollars help propel us further and faster down the pathways to cures, with cutting-edge Australian research increasingly globally linked and aligned to the international effort to drive prevention, early detection, improved treatment and ultimately a cure.
Second, we have been busy in this post-election period, congratulating newly appointed ministers, asking for early meetings and extending our appreciation for a new portfolio alignment across the health, ageing and disability disciplines.
While it was no surprise that the accomplished health minister, Mark Butler, was reappointed, it was a surprise to find his responsibilities extended to include the NDIS and disability.
While some in the disability sector see this as a detrimental move, I support it, especially as it aligns with a key policy priority supported by MSA and the Neurological Alliance Australia, calling for better alignment across the disability, health and aged care portfolios.
While this is a welcome alignment, it is still just that – an alignment. We will move heaven and earth to see that the better integration of services and improved access to care is realised as a result of this reshuffle of responsibilities.
But it’s a good start, and we look forward to an early meeting with ministers new and old in this super-ministry.
We also look forward to early meetings with cross-bench and opposition health spokespersons, including the re-elected independent member for Kooyong, Monique Ryan, a paediatric neurologist.
We will be pushing the case for a national action plan for neurological conditions, sustained funding for neurological research – including MS research – under the Medical Research Future Fund, a national neurological data set – because we still haven’t got one – and support for an MS Biobank.
The election may be over, but our advocacy mission continues with fresh passion. Because people living with MS and other neurological conditions are still not getting the support they so desperately need.
