Nearly $15m to tackle melanoma

LABOR has pledged $14.8m over four years to the Melanoma Institute of Australia to deliver more melanoma nurses in every state and territory, if it is elected.

At a press conference in Cairns on Saturday, Anthony Albanese said more work was needed to stop the skin cancer which kills an Australian every six hours. “Unfortunately melanoma is a common disease,” Mr Albanese said.

“These Australians deserve personalised support, helping them navigate the web of medical practitioners, which can often be overwhelming for those who are newly diagnosed.

“We’ll make sure people with melanoma get the care they need.”

Asked about local GP shortages, Mr Albanese promised Labor would have “more to say” in the coming days about the issue, which the Opposition has sought to make a clean pillar of the election.