Thursday, 3 April 2025

Northern Victoria Region

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:49): (1532) My question is to the Minister for Health on the need to support people living with diabetes in the upcoming state budget. I recently attended an event organised by Breakthrough T1D in Bendigo and spoke with families living with diabetes. I heard that Bendigo Health has just one part-time staff member caring for 140 children living with diabetes in the region. Diabetes needs to remain front of mind in our health system, engaging health professionals and people with lived experience to improve the quality and safety and effectiveness of health care for people with diabetes. Those living with type 1 have no choice and face significant expenses. There is also a growing number of people with early onset type 2 diabetes, and early intervention is needed. Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition, and there is an urgent need for increased funding and resources for diabetes care in our region. I ask the minister to ensure it is a priority in the coming state budget. The recent Commonwealth budget had no funding for diabetes priorities, yet more than 1.5 million people in Australia live with diabetes. Around 90 people develop diabetes every day in Victoria.