Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister inform the house of any developments regarding radiation therapy in the Limestone Coast?

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:42): I thank the member for Mount Gambier, another strong advocate for health services in the Limestone Coast. I am detecting a bit of a theme.

The member is right that the state government and the Limestone Coast Local Health Network have committed to undertaking a feasibility study in relation to radiation oncology in the Limestone Coast. This follows a decision that was made by the previous state government and the previous federal government, the previous Liberal state government and the previous Liberal federal government, to reject the proposal for radiation oncology to occur in the South-East in the Limestone Coast at Mount Gambier.

That has obviously caused considerable concern in terms of the Liberal governments of both persuasions' rejection of that proposition. This government, upon hearing the concerns of the community about that, listening and working with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network Board, has embarked upon a feasibility study. I can update the house that that project has now started. Health Q Consulting has been appointed to lead that work and undertake the feasibility study.

That came following an extensive piece of work, in terms of analysing different avenues for undertaking that feasibility study, which included representatives of the local action group on this matter as part of that assessment process to look at which was the best way to go. I understand in coming weeks, in the next couple of weeks, the first of those stakeholder meetings will be occurring with key people across the region to identify people's concerns. I understand, and my expectation is, that local members of parliament will be part of that process and have the opportunity to have their say as part of that process as well.

Critically, of course, it will be looking at the clinical view, the science and the evidence in terms of the success of these models elsewhere, looking at what the infrastructure needs will be, looking at the financial models that will be in place, then ultimately presenting the Limestone Coast Local Health Network with a report that we expect in the third quarter of this year to get a real, proper analysis of the feasibility of this project.

I think that we all understand the difficulty for people in the Limestone Coast, but also in other regions across the state, who undertake cancer treatment—the difficulties of what is required in terms of regular transport to Adelaide or, in the case of some people, from the Limestone Coast to Victoria, to be able to get those services. I think it is important, particularly given the rejection of this proposal under the previous Liberal government, that we undertake this feasibility study, get all evidence on the table—

Ms Pratt interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: —and make a proper assessment of that, which wasn't undertaken by the previous Liberal government when they rejected this proposal.

Ms Pratt interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Frome!

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: I understand the opposition—despite when they were in government, only two years ago, having rejected this proposal entirely—are now saying, 'Do it, no matter what.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: They had the opportunity—

Ms Pratt interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Frome is warned.

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: They had the opportunity and they rejected it. Now they are in opposition, suddenly they will do it at any cost. We haven't seen any policy proposition or costings on what they would put forward on that matter. We are actually doing the hard work. I thank the member for Mount Gambier for his serious advocacy on this matter.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: Are you laughing at the member for Mount Gambier? Wow.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: I think it's a disgrace to laugh at the member for Mount Gambier for his advocacy.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bragg and then the member for Adelaide, who has been waiting patiently.