Movember Foundation

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:22): I rise today to speak about an incredibly important topic: men's health. The more astute observers in this house will have noticed that recently I have started growing a moustache, which has grown to have quite a presence on my face, and I have received quite a number of disparaging comments in the hallways of parliament. Nonetheless, this mo started its life in November and has found its way onto my upper lip for a good cause. I have been growing this mo and raising money for Movember in support of men's health, particularly for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health and suicide prevention.

The Movember Foundation has set the goal of reducing men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by the time 2030 rolls around. It is a worthwhile goal and a goal certainly worth pursuing. On average, men are dying six years earlier than women, largely from preventable causes. Unchecked, prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years, testicular cancer rates have already doubled over the last 50 years and across the world one man dies by suicide every minute of the day, with males accounting for 75 per cent of all suicides. These three factors contribute to what is an unacceptable situation of men dying far too soon.

According to the Movember website, as of today, since the movement was kicked off in 2013, they have raised well over $1 billion, which has been contributed to various charitable organisations around the world in order to achieve their stated goal of reducing men dying prematurely by 25 per cent. I am led to believe $29 million was raised in 2018 alone The contribution that this particular foundation has made to the charity of men's health really is incredible. I do not think it would be an exaggeration to suggest that Movember has saved quite a significant number of lives since its inception.

My own Movember campaign has been in support of a close friend of mine who was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was a diagnosis received far too young and without a great number of symptoms that betrayed the seriousness of the ailment. My mate has had the corresponding surgery necessitated by the diagnosis, he has commenced the chemotherapy and he is bullish about a full recovery. It is pleasing to see him so happy and positive about his prospects, and I look forward to supporting him in his pursuit of full health.

In support of him, and in support of men's health more broadly, a wide group of mates and I undertook to commence a team effort at Movember fundraising. We did so without a financial goal in mind, only the goal to raise as much as we could for a good cause. I am pleased to report to the house that at the time of speaking we have raised in excess of $11,000 collectively, and we each have smaller individual amounts that have been raised as well.

It is an effort I am rather proud of, and I would like to congratulate every member of our Movember team on or their efforts in making this charitable contribution. I would also like to thank everyone who has donated to our campaign: it is a sizeable effort and will make a dent in what is a serious problem. Hopefully, this house and this parliament will not miss my mo too much when Movember draws to a close, but I must say that I am looking forward to my other house, my home, being a far happier household when it is inevitably removed at the end of the month.