The Hon Greg Hunt MP has announced that he will retire from politics at the next election after more than 20 years in Federal Parliament. Watch Minister Hunt’s speech to Parliament.
Rare Voices Australia (RVA) thanks Minister Hunt for his ongoing support of Australians living with a rare disease during his time as Minister for Health and Aged Care. Minister Hunt’s leadership led to the Australian Government investing in the collaborative development of the National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases, which was launched in 2020, with bipartisan support. In his speech to Parliament today, Minister Hunt touched on his dedication to people living with a rare disease. We acknowledge the many rare disease initiatives that Minister Hunt has championed, including:
- Research investment into genomics as well as rare diseases and rare cancers via the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
- Mackenzie’s Mission
- Reform of the Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP)
- Overseeing the addition of many rare disease medicines to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- Leadership on newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) reform, work which is ongoing
- His systemic approach, which has seen rare disease expertise appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for the first time and rare disease consumer expertise appointed to the LSDP Expert Panel
- His referral to the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport of the Parliamentary Inquiry into approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia
- His support for the ongoing review of health technology policy in line with advancements in health technology, which has resulted in achievements such as the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve’s Law) Bill 2021 passing through the House of Representatives
We thank Minister Hunt for his efforts throughout his tenure and for his willingness to engage with RVA and work towards the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for the estimated two million Australians living with a rare disease.
