The diabetes sector has welcomed the Federal Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes, which provides in-principle support for a number of key recommendations needed to arrest Australia’s diabetes epidemic.

The sector is encouraged by the government’s willingness to increase awareness about diabetes, improve diabetes care, expand access to GLP-1 medicines and grow diabetes research investments.

Diabetes Australia’s Group CEO Justine Cain said the government’s response shows it has heard the strong advocacy from the diabetes sector.

“Diabetes Australia, as the national peak body for all Australians living with diabetes, will continue to relentlessly pursue avenues to increase support for the diabetes community alongside the whole sector,” Ms Cain said.

“There was a comprehensive package of measures recommended in the Inquiry’s report, and the government’s response to them is an important step forward.

“In particular, we welcome support for public health campaigns to increase awareness of the early signs of all types of diabetes as well as prevention measures; an increase in MBS item numbers for diabetes educators; expanding eligibility for GLP-1 medicines; and the funding and coordination of diabetes research.”  

Ms Cain said the sector understands that the challenging economic circumstances facing Australia at this time meant some recommendations had been noted, but that ongoing advocacy would continue.

“We look forward to working with government as we continue to find a way to make insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors more affordable for people living with diabetes whose lives would be drastically improved by these technologies,” Ms Cain said.

“In this week’s Federal Budget, the government announced funding for important initiatives that will support the diabetes community including investments in research, the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, and My Health Record. We welcome this funding which will deliver practical support.

“Equity of access to technologies continues to be a critical focus and we must work together with government to find a way to make this standard care affordable for Australians. Health equity is critical. In a cost of living crisis, access to diabetes technology and services is more important than ever,” Ms Cain said.

Australian Diabetes Educators Association CEO Melanie Morris said “we welcome the government’s response and the support in principle for a number of key recommendations that will improve access to care, strengthen the diabetes workforce, and enhance prevention.

“Importantly, this includes support to improve access to Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs), including in high‑risk outer metropolitan, rural and remote communities, as well as expanding MBS‑subsidised allied health services and access to longer consultations,” Ms Morris said.

Australian Diabetes Society CEO Sof Andrikopoulos said there were a number of encouraging signs for diabetes research.

“When taken together, the announcement in the Federal Budget that MRFF funding will be increased to $1 billion by 2030, and the in-principle support for the diabetes research recommendation for the inquiry, we can see promising roads ahead for Australia’s diabetes community,” Mr Andrikopoulos said.

Dr Matthew Hare, President of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society noted new initiatives in the Federal budget that will enhance opportunities for women living with diabetes to have the best health outcomes for them and their children, such as improved access to long-acting reversible contraception.

“We are committed to continuing to work with the Australian Government to ensure equitable access to life-changing technologies for women with diabetes that will improve health outcomes across generations,” Dr Hare said.

Twenty-three key recommendations were included in a comprehensive report tabled in 2024 by the Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee following its landmark Inquiry into Diabetes.

The diabetes community will continue to work with government on increasing affordable access to diabetes technologies including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

“These technologies aren’t a ‘nice to have’, they are absolutely necessary,” Ms Cain said.

“Right now, we’re seeing a widening gap between what we know works and what people can afford. Cost should never determine whether someone can access life‑changing care.

“We very much look forward to continuing the discussions with government on how we can make this a reality,” Ms Cain said.