News and updates

Exciting News! We’re proud to announce that The Cancer Registry Legislation Toolkit is now available! Developed by the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN), this important resource has just been released by IARC.

Just released: McCabe Centre and Cancer Council Victoria’s article is featured in Cancer Control 2025 on “What can tobacco control teach us about vested interests in food and nutrition?”

2025 – what a big year! As we look back on an extraordinary 12 months, we want to extend our deepest thanks to our key partners and collaborators, for our collective achievements and defining moments this year. The progress we’ve seen this year is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment of everyone involved. As this year draws to a close, wherever you are in the world, we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.

This week, we were in Geneva for the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the global treaty seeking to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco.

What an inspiring day at the University of Melbourne today, where over 70 people came together to explore turning global commitments into real action. We covered NCDs, climate change and chronic disease & the power of a life-course approach.

At today’s World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, reaffirmed the Australian Government’s commitment to advancing tobacco control. This commitment includes ongoing support, such as AUD $1.1 million in funding over two years (until June 2026) for the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, enabling it to continue its role as a designated WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Knowledge Hub..

We’re so proud to co-host the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2025 (#WCLS2025) this week in Melbourne — a unique forum where global leaders come together to shape the future of cancer control.

Today’s Law in Action event, held at our Cancer Council Victoria offices – featured Nicola Roxon, former Australian Federal Attorney-General and Health Minister (and current Chair of HESTA, VicHealth and AIHW), who did a keynote address sharing insights from her time as Health Minister innovating plain packaging and prioritising tobacco control.

This week, we were honoured to be speaking at the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Annual Scientific Meeting and International Psycho-Oncology (IPOS) Congress, where the theme “Optimising care, optimising outcomes” reflects a powerful commitment to collaboration across disciplines. Held in Adelaide (11–14 November 2025), this year’s program went beyond oncology — embracing a truly multidisciplinary approach to improving outcomes for all people affected by cancer.

The McCabe Centre is honoured to have contributed to the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Global Decade Report 2.0: Knowledge in Motion – A Decade Reviewed, A Decade Defined. In Chapter 10: Legal and Workplace Rights for People with ABC, we explored the legal and employment protections available to people living with advanced breast cancer (ABC) across different jurisdictions.

This week, our Regional Manager for Asia, Ma-Anne Rosales, attended the Fifth Regional Meeting of WHO Collaborating Centres in Manila — a powerful gathering that reinforced the vital role these centres play as the backbone of WHO’s work in the region.

We’re so proud to launch the Law & Alcohol Policy Brief for the Western Pacific Region! This new resource is designed for parliamentarians, health officials, and public servants working on legal and policy reform. It highlights why regulating alcohol is a public health priority — and how to do it effectively.

We joined forces with some incredible Indopacific health leaders and over 120 participants from across Australia and globally for a timely and powerful webinar: “How do we turn global promises on NCDs and mental health into real change in our region?”

As I sat in the UN General Assembly Hall in New York last month, surrounded by global leaders and changemakers, I found myself reflecting not just on the change we can make in the world.

By: Hayley Jones, Director, McCabe Centre

Canberra, Australia – Last week, Parliament House played host to a pivotal event co-hosted by The George Institute for Global Health and the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer, bringing together leaders across government, health, civil society and academia.