War of words in cancer treatment battle

Radiation treatment services petition now in the hands of review committee

The ball is now in the hands of a Legislative Review Committee when it comes to the future of cancer treatment in the Limestone Coast.

The campaign for radiation treatment services has descended into a war of words as both sides of politics, who have both rejected the case for an establishment of radiation treatment services in the region, battle it out for who is and is not supporting health in the region. The 20,000 community petition was tabled in the South Australian House of Assembly last week and the Legislative Review Committee will now investigate the matter and report back to both Houses.

The responsible Minister in each House is then required to table a response and make a statement outlining what, if any, action is to be taken in relation to the petition. The petition calls on the South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton (pictured below left) to commit the necessary funding to deliver radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast, thereby utilising the Federal Government’s $4.3 million specifically allocated to the proposal by the Coalition Government in 2019.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin (pictured below centre) has been advocating to bring radiation treatment services to the Limestone Coast since $63 million had been allocated in the Federal Budget to improving radiation treatment access to regional Australia in 2019.

He was successful in ensuring the Limestone Coast was one of 13 initial sites across Australia to be earmarked a share of the allocated funding but the then State Liberal Government’s refusal to support the proposal saw plans stall following a tender process in 2020.

Mr Pasin said the recent petition was a sending a clear message to the Minister that this issue was a priority for the Limestone Coast community.

“The community support for the proposal has been overwhelming and the Working Party who have been so dedicated are to be commended,” Mr Pasin said.

“Not only does it tell me I was correct in advocating for radiation therapy back in 2018-19 but it makes very clear to the State Labor Government that they need to take this issue seriously.

“It’s bitterly disappointing that the State Government are so focused on continuing to reject a proposal from 2018 rather than looking for solutions moving forward.

“All we seem to be hearing from the Labor Government is excuses and blame shifting. The fact of the matter is that the Labor Government have the ability to make this happen in 2023.”

“I want Minister Picton to stop kicking the can down the road and start delivering improved health outcomes for the people of the Limestone Coast. The Limestone Coast deserves better.”

Of course, speaking of excuses and blame shifting, the South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton has levelled significant criticism at the Liberal Opposition. “Just two years ago the former State Liberal Government outright rejected establishing radiation oncology in Mount Gambier,” Minister Picton said. “There was federal funding, there was a tender, and the Liberals decided to reject it. I understand the Liberals rejected the proposal because of safety and quality concerns – but the Liberals need to explain why that occurred. There was deafening silence from Liberal MPs at the time. The Liberals should explain why they were silent then. We are now seeing from the Liberal gross hypocrisy on a mass scale.”

Minister Picton pointed to the Local Health Board feasibility study, that the State Government is funding, as advancing the issue. “Critical to this will be analysis of the clinical safety and quality concerns that were raised during the Liberal Government,” Minister Picton said. “I acknowledge many in the community were concerned with the rejection of this proposal by the Liberals two years ago, and I can assure them that we will now be acting to properly give this issue the detailed analysis and business case that was not previously done.”

Prior to the petition being presented to parliament, Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell also pointed to the feasibility study as a key step in the decision making process.

“There are still questions around radiation therapy in Mount Gambier and I am really hopeful this legislative review as well as the business case feasibility study will put them to rest and we can proceed with a united front to seek funding from the State Government,” Mr Bell said.

Newly installed Liberal Upper House Member Ben Hood MLC (pictured below right), said that this outcome was directly from the Labor playbook, which the Limestone Coast community was all too familiar with.

“Within 72 hours of becoming Premier, Peter Malinauskas made the trip to Mount Gambier, promising that his Government would not neglect the South East,” Mr Hood said.

“Within 12 months, he has broken that promise and the hearts of more than 16,000 members of our community. It is nothing less than a kick in the guts to the Limestone Coast.”

“I will continue to fight for radiotherapy in the region along with the State Liberal Opposition, Tony Pasin and the hardworking committee members.

“The Malinauskas Labor Government must stop neglecting the South East and commit to delivering this vital service.”