Arthritis and Other Musculoskeletal Conditions

[6.07 p.m.] Ms HADDAD (Clark) - Honourable Speaker, this morning I tabled a petition calling on the government to deliver on their $6 million commitment for a permanent public rheumatology and persistent pain clinic in Launceston. More than 1093 people signed it, which is a huge number of Tasmanians willing to put their name to these concerns in a short period of time. It speaks volumes to how urgent this need is and how deeply let down north and north- western Tasmanians have felt.

One in four Tasmanians live with arthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions. They are one of the most common but most disabling and costly of all chronic conditions. They come in many forms and affect people of all ages. By 2030, the number of Tasmanians with the most debilitating strains is expected to grow by a further 20 per cent.

This issue first came to my attention when Imet with Jackie Slyp, the CEO of Arthritis & Osteoporosis Tasmania, who has been advocating for people with these conditions for over 20 years. Jackie is with us in the Chamber tonight, with many others. Jackie introduced me to Diana Wilson, who it has been an absolute pleasure to get to know. Diana agreed to be the community petitioner of the parliamentary e-petition I presented today. I welcome Jackie and Diana to the parliament and the Chamber, as well as Arthritis & Osteoporosis Tasmania board members Frankie Forsyth and Alison Park. Thank you all for coming, and thank you, Diana, for travelling that long distance from Bridport.

That long journey is precisely why this petition is so important. When I met with Diana, she shared her story with me. I learnt that there was no regular permanent rheumatology clinic available in the north or the north west of Tasmania. It meant that she, like hundreds or thousands of others in Tasmania, had to make the seven-hour round trip to Hobart each time sheneeded to seearheumatologist. Dianaexplainedto methattheseappointments can't happen by telehealth. They need aphysical exam, theyneed tests thatcanonly bedonein person.A trip like that is heavy going for anyone, let alone somebody already suffering from persistent pain. However, without a northern service, that was the reality for Diana and many others.

Jackie at Arthritis & Osteoporosis Tasmania explained to me that she has seen a steady degradation of services over the 20 years she has been working in the sector. She explained that these conditions cause significant pain and impact people in the performing of daily activities. They can stop people from being able to go to work or study because they can't move like they once could. Everyday activities like brushing your hair, getting dressed, getting your kids ready for school or cooking a meal can be difficult, or even impossible, and are utterly exhausting. They can wipe you out for hours or even days.

There are treatments available that make a huge difference and can make a profoundly positive impact on people's quality of life. Yet, northern Tasmanians have been missing out on these services because the government commitment had been shelved. Jackie said:

They were starting to look at locations and consider recruitment, and things were moving along really positively. Then all of a sudden nothing. We were just gobsmacked when we realised this funding had gone and angry that this was letting people down, people we'd worked so hard to get these commitments with. It's just not good enough. The government needs to be held to account.

I thank Jackie, Diana and Arthritis &Osteoporosis Tasmania for working with me on the e-petition because it has done precisely that: it has held the government to account. I note that on a similar motion earlier today raised by the member for Braddon, Mr Garland, on the MPI, the Minister for Health, Ms Archer, confirmed that this project has been reprioritised by her department. I'm sure the minister will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a new clinic should be opened in Launceston around the end of the year. Thank you, minister, I am seeing a nod, so that's very positive.

I was thrilled to hear that news on a similar debate this morning and I know it will be very welcome news for the many thousands of north and north-western Tasmanians who need it. I thank Minister Archer for that commitment and again thank Jackie, Diana, Frankie and Alison, not only for joining us tonight in the parliament, but for your tireless advocacy over many years and decades.