Question Time

Proton Beam Therapy Unit

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the minister for—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Make an ask!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Well, it wouldn't matter what we ask, we don't get any answers. You would think that with one day left before the next election that we would get all the answers that are due, but we don't. I got distracted. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health a question on proton beam therapy.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: On 27 September 2017, only about six weeks ago, I asked the Minister for Health a series of questions on the process for selecting the supplier of the proton beam therapy unit in the SAHMRI 2 building. In reply, the minister indicated that he had not seen any correspondence or received any briefings in relation to the issue, but that he was more than happy to seek such a briefing. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister received a briefing on the process of selecting the supplier of the proton beam therapy unit for the SAHMRI 2 building?

2. Has the business case for the establishment and operation of the proton beam therapy unit been finalised and, if so, has a copy for the business case been provided to his federal counterpart?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I am happy to take on notice components of the honourable member's question. However, I will just state that the proton beam therapy unit we very much look forward to having here in South Australia. It will be an outstanding contribution to the biomedical precinct that is a national leader.

Yet again, yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit part of a new facility that has opened up at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, a clinical trial section, which will provide extra capability for this state to deliver clinical trials in a way that it has not had the capacity to do before, particularly at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital, where of course the Hon. Mr Ridgway and his colleagues would still have people.

There are 500 clinical trials currently underway, I am advised, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and now with this new clinical trials section it will provide for an outstanding result for those people who rely on new technologies and new medicines that are being introduced into our system on a highly regular basis.

The proton beam therapy unit will be part of that same biomedical precinct, where we are serious about advancing South Australia not just as a national leader but as an international leader with these technologies. We look forward and very much hope that such reforms and such investments would enjoy the bipartisan support of this parliament, although one would be forgiven for not putting their savings on it because of course we have not seen bipartisan support when it comes to other investments we have made into public hospitals and the public health system.