This bill became law on May 30th, 2024.
Health, care & disability
Australia’s national cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. now covers lung cancer, so lung cancer screening can be run through the same national registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. used for bowel and cervical screening.
The new national lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. was due to start in July 2025, but the cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. did not yet cover lung cancer or hold lung screening information. This bill adds lung cancer to the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. so it can lawfully store results, send reminders, notify doctors, and support follow-up care.
Australia already had a national cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. for bowel and cervical screening, but after Cancer Australia’s May 2023 feasibility assessment and a 2023-24 Budget decision to fund a national lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. from July 2025, the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. still had no legal basis to handle lung screening. The bill responded by adding lung cancer to the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. so it could store results, send reminders and support follow-up care, and after Parliament passed it and Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. was given in May 2024, the expanded registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. was set to underpin the national programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk.’s rollout in July 2025.
The collected source set for this run does not include a sourced public criticism of the bill. The page therefore does not identify a verified case against it from the available evidence.
Mark Butler MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 30 May 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
70 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia’s national cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. now covers lung cancer, so lung cancer screening can be run through the same national registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. used for bowel and cervical screening.
The national registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. can now hold information about a person’s lung cancer screening, which gives the new national lung screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. a legal basis to operate.
People in the national lung screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. can be sent reminders about when to get screened or when to act after a scan, and their chosen doctor can also be notified.
People in the national lung screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. can see their own lung screening information in the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. and can delay screening or opt out of the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs..
The law supports future rules that can require lung screening results and follow-up information to be reported to the national registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs., helping doctors work from complete and consistent records.
By adding lung cancer to the definition of designated cancer, all provisions in the National Cancer Screening Register Act 2016 relating to ‘designated cancer’ will apply to the National Cancer Screening Register (Register) to support the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), enabling access to information about lung cancer screening and diagnoses.National Cancer Screening Register Amendment explanatory memorandum
(3) The register may include information relating to individuals in connection with screening associated with lung cancer.National Cancer Screening Register Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
Generation of advice and/or screening reminders for program participants and their nominated healthcare provider about when an individual is due to undergo lung cancer screening, or when an individual may need to take action after a lung cancer screening test, to ensure continuity of care.National Cancer Screening Register Amendment explanatory memorandum
Enabling program participants to access their lung cancer screening information in the Register, including updating their participation in the NLCSP (e.g. deferring their screening or opting out of the Register).National Cancer Screening Register Amendment explanatory memorandum
The Bill will also enable mandatory reporting of lung cancer screening information to the Register to support participants in their screening pathway, to be implemented through the National Cancer Screening Register Rules (Rules) following passage of the Bill in Parliament. Mandatory reporting will enable the Register to receive a consistent set of data, such as results of screening tests and relevant follow-up procedures, to assist healthcare providers in clinical decision-making.National Cancer Screening Register Amendment explanatory memorandum
Context
Australia already had a national cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. for bowel and cervical screening, but after Cancer Australia’s May 2023 feasibility assessment and a 2023-24 Budget decision to fund a national lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. from July 2025, the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. still had no legal basis to handle lung screening. The bill responded by adding lung cancer to the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. so it could store results, send reminders and support follow-up care, and after Parliament passed it and Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. was given in May 2024, the expanded registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. was set to underpin the national programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk.’s rollout in July 2025.
Cancer Australia feasibility assessment backs lung screening
Cancer Australia’s feasibility assessment became a key foundation for creating a national lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk..
National Cancer Screening Register Amendment explanatory memorandum ↗Federal budget funds a new National Lung Cancer Screening ProgramThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk.
The government announced a $263.8 million investment for a national programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. to begin in July 2025, including expansion of the cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs..
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way to add lung cancer screening to the national registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. makes the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. expansion law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act so the registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. could legally be extended to support lung cancer screening.
Parliamentary timeline ↗National lung cancer screening is due to begin
Official explanatory material says screening would be available nationally to eligible people from July 2025 using the expanded registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs..
National Cancer Screening Register Amendment explanatory memorandum ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The collected source set for this run does not include a sourced public criticism of the bill. The page therefore does not identify a verified case against it from the available evidence.
No sourced criticism was collected in this run; this should not be read as proof that no criticism existed.
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Butler supports the bill, saying it is needed to expand the National Cancer Screening RegisterThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. so it can support the new lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. from July 2025.
Read in Hansard ↗Paul Scarr says the coalition supports the bill because it expands the cancer screening registerThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. to help deliver lung cancer screening and improve early detection and outcomes.
Read in Hansard ↗Ayres supports the bill and says it is needed to expand the National Cancer Screening RegisterThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. so it can underpin the new lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. from July 2025.
Read in Hansard ↗Brian Mitchell supports the bill, saying it will let the National Cancer Screening RegisterThe national database that stores screening information and sends reminders for cancer screening programs. support the new lung cancer screening programThe new national screening program this bill is meant to support, using lung scans for people at higher risk. and extend existing privacy protections to lung cancer screening information.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
7 speakers · 7 support
“This Bill will amend the National Cancer Screening Register Act 2016 which provides the legislative framework for the operation of the National Cancer Screening Register. Specifically, the Bill adds 'lung cancer' to the definition of 'designated cancer' and as a result, expands the scope of the Register.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese Labor government is absolutely committed to strengthening Medicare, and this expansion of the National Cancer Screening Register to incorporate lung cancer screening will absolutely help to deliver better healthcare outcomes for all Australians and will keep more Australians alive for longer. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill will amend the National Cancer Screening Register Act 2016, which provides the legislative framework for the operation of the National Cancer Screening Register. Specifically, the bill adds 'lung cancer' to the definition of 'designated cancer' and as a result, expands the scope of our register.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I wholeheartedly commend this no-brainer bill to the House. I am so proud of this Albanese government having brought forth this world-leading lung cancer screening program, as it will save lives.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This government is committed to strengthening Medicare, and this expansion of the national cancer screening program will help deliver better health outcomes for Australians. While prevention is best—and we have strategies to reduce smoking, as we have a bill currently in the House to reduce vaping—early intervention is next best, and this National Lung Cancer Screening Program is early intervention and it will save lives.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I know we will hit a hard marker fairly soon, so the key message I want to get across is that, if we're going to improve outcomes for cancer patients overall, there needs to be a greater focus on the cancers that have the greatest impacts on the community, and lung cancer is definitely one of those. That is why I'm proud to be part of a government that is making this vital investment in lung cancer screening and expanding the National Cancer Screening Register to include lung cancer. The five-year year survival rate for lung cancer is 24 per cent, which means that a little over three in four patients will die five years after their diagnosis. We know that early detection means early intervention, and the screening program this bill enables is expected to save over 500 lives a year.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill will serve to benefit the health of Australians by enabling support for lung cancer screening pathways, leveraged through the existing purposes of the register. The bill is small, containing two minor amendments. The program will have a positive impact on First Nations people and other priority populations disproportionately impacted by lung cancer, including those living in rural, remote and very remote areas, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse population groups.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“Once again, the coalition supports this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Once again: the coalition supports this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
