Budget boost into dementia research on the cards after sporting legend Wally Lewis’ plea for support

The federal government has answered calls from an Australian sporting legend after he detailed his own experience living with an incurable brain disorder.

The federal government will direct more funding into dementia and brain injury research in the May budget following an impassioned plea from rugby league legend Wally Lewis.

Mr Lewis, who was diagnosed with suspected CTE in 2023, urged the federal government to support more clinical research into brain diseases after revealing his own struggle with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on Wednesday.

Aged Care and Sport Minister Anika Wells pledged to back the 68-year-old sporting immortal’s call on Wednesday.

“As Queenslanders know innately in our blood that bleeds Maroon that Wally Lewis is king, and the king gets it right most of the time, and he’s right about CTE,” Ms Wells told reporters.

“That’s why we’re going to back him and we’re going to have more to say about that in the budget.”

Ms Wells said more details will come on May 14. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Martin Ollman.

Mr Lewis revealed he had probable CTE in 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman.

“Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia. It is something that we need to know more about and something that we need to do more about.

“It’s certainly something that parents when considering a choice of sport for their kids are worried about.

“We need to keep that confidence, we need to keep people having their kids actively participate in sport so we’re going to say more about that.”

The former Maroons captain plead the government to commit $18m to fund national support and research programs into CTE during a candid speech to the National Press Club on Tuesday.

Mr Lewis said living with CTE, a form type of dementia associated with repeated head injuries, concussions or sub-concussions, has significantly impacted his daily and professional life.

“My everyday life is no longer blessed by confidence in my daily activities. Now I struggle to accept that it has been filled with fear and embarrassment about how forgetful I have become every single day,” he said.

“I don’t want anyone to have to live with the fear and anxiety that I live with every day of my lifetime.”