Ms O'DWYER (Higgins) (13:52): On Friday, 29 November, I had the great honour of representing the Prime Minister at the Baker IDI, at the Alfred Hospital, to launch the collaboration between the Fred Hollows Foundation and the International Diabetes Federation. Since 1992 the Fred Hollows Foundation has specialised in blindness prevention and treatment in Third World communities around the world. The number of people who they have helped is simply astounding. They have treated 7.6 million people for trachoma and, in 2012, they helped over eight million people with eye related illnesses. The International Diabetes Federation is an umbrella organisation for over 200 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The partnership between these two organisations will mark the first time that the Fred Hollows Foundation will scan, detect and treat diabetes related blindness. The announcement was made to coincide with the World Diabetes Congress, which was held last week between 2 December and 6 December at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

I am delighted to also report to the House that the government has announced that Professor Paul Zimmet and the Hon. Judi Moylan will co-chair the advisory group to implement the national strategy for diabetes, which is the first of its kind in this country. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this wonderful joint initiative between the Fred Hollows Foundation and the International Diabetes Federation. (Time expired)