Skip to content
Medical Health Aged Care

WALLY LEWIS WELCOMES GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO FUND CTE SUPPORT

Dementia Australia 2 mins read

Wally Lewis AM, Dementia Australia and Connecters Australia Ambassador, today welcomed the comments from the Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport, in response to calls for $18M federal government funding for support services, education and awareness raising about concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

“While we are yet to see the details, knowing the Minister has confirmed there will be something in the federal budget to address our calls is fantastic news,” Mr Lewis said.

“On behalf of the Concussion and CTE Coalition and all people impacted by chronic traumatic encephalopathy I say thank you.”

“We look forward to finding out more details in the coming weeks.”

The news follows a campaign led by the Concussion and CTE Coalition with Mr Lewis, who is living with probable CTE. Mr Lewis led a 20 strong delegation to parliament in February and addressed the National Press Club of Australia (NPC) yesterday where he shared his experience of living with probable CTE and his hopes for the future.

The Concussion and CTE Coalition’s Joint Pre-Budget Submission calls for $18 million over three years to fund a national pilot program of support services for people impacted by CTE, and a national awareness and education program in schools to protect the brains of Australian children.
CTE is the only preventable form of dementia, and some estimates suggest thousands of people are impacted. CTE affects brain function over time and can result in changes in mood, personality, behaviour, and cognitive function. 

As Mr Lewis said in his speech, “We only get one brain.” 

Read Wally Lewis’ National Press Club address

The Concussion and CTE Coalition includes Dementia Australia, Brain Foundation, ConneCTErs Australia, Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah of the Queensland Brain Institute at The University of Queensland and Dr Rowena Mobbs of Mater Hospital Sydney, who are working together to promote awareness and understanding of CTE and its impact on individuals, families and communities.

For more information: Concussion and CTE Coalition’s Pre-Budget Submission and Joint Position Statement.

For support and information please contact the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500, dementia.org.au, the Brain Foundation brainfoundation.org.au, or Connecters Australia connecters.org.au

Media contacts:  
Gabrielle Prabhu 0403 177 754 | gabrielle.prabhu@dementia.org.au 

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.

Media

More from this category

  • Medical Health Aged Care, Women
  • 11/02/2025
  • 07:10
Breast Cancer Network Australia

Australian women denied knowledge of BREAST DENSITY and their increased breast cancer risk

11th February 2025 Fact: Approximately 10% of women have high breast density, which significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer and impacts the effectiveness of detecting breast cancer through 2D mammography. Despite this, thousands of Australian women are being denied this important information due to the absence of national reporting standards and a lack of software in publicly funded screening services that can effectively measure breast density. Western Australia and South Australia routinely notify women of their breast density. Queensland is currently conducting trials, Victoria is expected to report breast density to all clients by early 2025 and New…

  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 11/02/2025
  • 06:05
Royal Australian College of GPs

RACGP launches plan for more GPs and lower fees: to halve out-of-pocket costs, increase bulk billing

The Royal Australian College of GPs is urging all political parties to support its plan to ensure access to affordable GP care for everyone in Australia. The plan will halve out-of-pocket costs, deliver 6.2 million more bulk billed consults each year, and get more specialist GPs training in communities. Australia’s peak body for general practice and GP training with over 50,000 members, the RACGP is launching its plan for accessible and affordable GP care at Parliament House today. Independently verified analysis shows it will: get the bulk billing rate back to 85% for those who need it most, creating 6.2…

  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 11/02/2025
  • 01:11
AGFA HealthCare

An Incredible KLAS Triple-Award Win for AGFA HealthCare!

MORTSEL, BE / ACCESS Newswire / February 10, 2025 / AGFA HealthCare proudly celebrates a remarkable KLAS triple-win, securing two #1 Best in KLAS Awards for XERO® Viewer and VNA, alongside the KLAS Most Improved Software Product for 2025."To receive a KLAS Award is one of the most notable wins for AGFA HealthCare, and a testament to the hard work we invest into our flagship platform. More importantly, it reflects the trust and recognition from our customers. Their success is our success, and to receive two such awards is simply breathtaking." - Nathalie McCaughley, President, AGFA HealthCareThe Best in KLAS…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.