Australian Olympic Committee invited to give even more evidence to diabetes inquiry

The Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport continues with its inquiry into Diabetes and will hear from the Australian Olympic Committee at a public hearing in Canberra on 20th March 2024 followed by input from medical technology associations and pharmaceutical companies on 22nd March.

Despite the significant amount of research and money invested into diabetes and obesity - two prevalent chronic conditions in Australia which both have a significant relationship with cancer – the Cancer Council Australia has cited research which shows that “in the 35 years between 1987 and 2017, the rate of obesity-related cancers in Australia almost quadrupled, with more than one million cases of cancer with an association with obesity diagnosed. Individuals with type 2 diabetes also experience an increased risk of developing several cancers, including pancreatic, liver, endometrial, colorectal, and breast cancer.”

The Cancer Council Australia submission into the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport's May 2023 Inquiry provided three key recommendations for the Committee to address nutrition, overweight and obesity, and physical activity in Australia:

• Comprehensive government regulation to protect children from unhealthy food marketing

• A 20% health levy on manufacturers of sugary drinks

• Mandating an enhanced and strengthened Health Star Rating system across the packaged food supply.

Underpinning these recommendations, The Cancer Council Australia’s 2023 submission urged the Committee to “recommend that the Australian Government implements and adequately funds the actions under the National Obesity Strategy (2022-2032) and the National Preventive Health Strategy (2021-2030). Both these strategies aim to reduce rates of overweight and obesity, improve dietary intake, and increase physical activity.”

Almost a year on from the 2023 inquiry, the Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander has advised that for the March 2024 inquiry the Committee would now be “looking at how the Australian Government can better leverage Australia’s proud sporting culture to encourage physical activity and build healthy communities.”

The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Melissa McIntosh added “the Committee looks forward to speaking with the Australian Olympic Committee to learn more about its engagement with public health campaigns and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.”

Following the Australian Olympic Committee’s 45 minute ‘opportunity’ to enlighten the Committee on ways to encourage Australians to get more active, the Committee will hear from a number of medical technology associations and pharmaceutical companies on 22nd March.

Public hearing from Australian Olympic Committee
Date: Wednesday, 20th March 2024
Time: 9.15am – 10.00am AEDT (Canberra time)
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra

A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website.