Federal Budget 2019: Bill Shorten delivers Budget reply as Australian federal election looms

Cancer patients will have their medical bills slashed under a $2.3 billion Labor plan to help Australians in the "fight of their life", Bill Shorten has announced in his Budget reply.

Cancer patients will have their medical bills slashed under a $2.3 billion Labor plan to help Australians in the "fight of their life", Bill Shorten has pledged in his Budget reply tonight.

The Labor leader promised six million free cancer scans, three million free consults with cancer specialists and that "every drug recommended by independent experts" will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. 

"Cancer is a curse. I wish I could stand here tonight and tell you that we will find a cure. But no politician can give that promise," Mr Shorten said.

"We will continue to support our scientists in their work, we will invest in the research and the clinical trials. 

"And until the day we find a cure, I can promise you this. Under Labor, if you are battling cancer, you can focus on getting well without worrying about going broke."

RELIVE BILL SHORTEN'S BUDGET REPLY  BELOW:

Originally published as Federal Budget 2019: Bill Shorten delivers Budget reply as Australian federal election looms

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