World Cancer Day Morning Tea Hosted by Cancer Council Queensland

Mr Speaker; Ministers; Leader of the Opposition; Members of Parliament; Chair and CEO of Cancer Council Queensland; ladies and gentlemen. Good morning to you all.

I also acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

It is my great honour to join you today as the Patron of Cancer Council Queensland, with Kaye, as we mark twenty years of World Cancer Day.

Unfortunately, there are many health issues vying for our attention right now, internationally and domestically.

The recent bushfires and ongoing drought – and flooding now in some parts of our State, for example, has sharpened our focus on resilience and mental health in affected communities.

Kaye and I have, in the past few days, visited Aratula and Crows Nest, both affected by bushfire in late 2019. 

As it reaches this 20-year milestone, World Cancer Day reminds us that raising awareness of this devastating disease is as vital now as it has ever been.

Cancer is still one of the top ten threats to public health.

It is still “The Big C” and still a disease on which we must stay focussed.

There are few Australians who can say their lives have not been touched in some way by cancer.

In Queensland, one person is diagnosed with cancer every 20 minutes.

Sharing information is vital if we are to accelerate the reduction in unnecessary cancer deaths and achieve equal access to cancer care for all.

World Cancer Day gently reminds us of the other “Big C” we must continue to address - Conversation.

Our communities must be reminded to talk, to share stories both of triumph and of loss, if we are to keep awareness of cancer at the forefront of our collective consciousness.

Cancer Council Queensland has a very simple, very important vision: a cancer-free future.

And, while there’s been incredible advances in cancer research and treatment over the past twenty years, many from our brilliant Queensland institutions, there is still a long way to go before this vision is realised.

As always, I offer our gratitude to Cancer Council Queensland for the incredible work they do in raising funds to improve the lives of Queenslanders living with cancer.

And, to the doctors, researchers, medical staff, scientists and volunteers who work so tirelessly towards a cancer-free future, I say thank you.

Finally, to the audience here today, especially to the many Members of our Parliament, thank you for taking the time to mark this important occasion, the 20^th anniversary of World Cancer Day. Thank you.