The Albanese Labor Government has finally announced ongoing funding for the National ZERO Childhood Cancer Precision Medicine (ZERO) Program, following months of uncertainty.
ZERO is a globally recognised initiative, which has been shown to significantly improve the survival of children with the worst types of cancer.
This life-saving program was made available to all Australian children with cancer by the former Coalition Government, in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation, in 2020.
Without continued funding support from 1 July 2025, precision-guided cancer care for children in Australia would have been put at risk, jeopardising the lives of 1,000 Australian children diagnosed with cancer each year.
Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston said that the Coalition is proud to have made the ZERO program available to all Australian children battling cancer and supports the Government committing additional funding to this critical program.
“We welcome the allocation of $112.6 million in last year’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook for the ongoing operation of this life-saving program, as well as its expansion to young adults up to 25 years of age diagnosed with paediatric-type cancers,” Shadow Minister Ruston said.
“We call on the Government to progress the funding agreement as soon as possible to ensure a seamless funding transition beyond 30 June 2025.”
An elected Dutton Coalition Government will guarantee that this critical funding of $112.6 million for the ZERO Program progresses as promised to provide much-needed certainty for Australian children and young people with cancer, and their families.
ENDS
@Anne_Ruston
/AnneRuston