Health was on Prime Minister Turnbull’s agenda today. He’s pledged $20 million toward combating untreatable childhood cancers. The Zero Childhood Cancer Initiative, aims to pinpoint genes that under-lie serious disease.

Keira Wallace reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Mr Turnbull was at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Children’s Hospital, announcing plans to end childhood cancer.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister: “This is a great endeavour, zero childhood cancer.”

Children diagnosed with cancer will have a tissue sample taken and analysed to determine their genetics.

The cutting edge research then determines the best treatment to improve chances of recovery.

The $20 million initiative will partner with leading medical facilities, including Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister: “This is a vital part of our commitment to a strong and healthy and prosperous society.”

The Prime Minister says his plan will push survival rates towards 100 per cent.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister: “There is no better way to secure our future by securing the health of our children.”

Each year, 200 children are diagnosed with cancers that have no cure or don’t respond to conventional treatment.

Keira Wallace, QUT News.