Proton Therapy in South Australia

Mrs HURN (Schubert) (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Has the minister met with Ms Billie Tuckerman and her daughter Evelyn? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mrs HURN: Ms Tuckerman's daughter received life-saving proton therapy in the US after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at seven months old. Ms Tuckerman was quoted in The Advertiser today saying the following:

We didn't know at the time, because of the way Evelyn’s cancer was, whether or not she would be coming home with me alive or in a box...

To uproot yourself for two months while not knowing what the outcome is going to be and being away from your support network, it's just horrible…

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:56): Certainly, I would be happy to if there was a request, and I will check if there had been a request. Obviously, the Treasurer has already explained that he has responsibility in relation to the proton matter, as was under the previous government, under the Hon. Rob Lucas as well, that he has corresponded with the family in terms of their concerns. Obviously, the government is working to try to develop a solution and working with the federal government to try to do so as well.

I understand that this family is part of our consumer network through SAHMRI and the ABCPTR as well. We are very keen to be in contact with as many consumers as we can, obviously understanding the difficult journey that they have gone through in terms of getting their daughter treatment in the United States. That is obviously why there has been a national ambition to have a service available in Australia, so that families do not have to go through that very difficult journey.