Politicians from all sides of politics say they want changes to Australia's gene patenting laws, but it is unclear which major party will act first.

At a Cancer Council breakfast, members of the Government, the Opposition and independents spoke about the need to change the law so gene sequences cannot be patented.

Oncology Professor Ian Olver says currently one company can stop others from conducting tests on a gene that they discover, slowing down cancer research.

"What we must do is change the law so there is no room for that interpretation," he said.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says he will introduce a bill on gene patenting to the Senate next week.

"The time for change has come. We need to deal with this," he said.

Senator Xenophon says he hopes to get bipartisan support for his bill in the Upper House.

"It is untenable that we are holding back medical research, that we are holding back cures for cancer because some corporations say they ought to own those genes," he said.

Labor MP Melissa Parke says she hopes the Government will introduce a bill soon.

But the Coalition's health spokesman, Peter Dutton, says he will introduce changes to the Lower House with support from independent MP Rob Oakeshott.