Cancer Patient Support

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:38): Will the minister update the house regarding support for cancer patients in South Australia?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his question. The Marshall Liberal government has been delivering on its commitment to deliver better services closer to home. We are investing in country and suburban hospitals and we are expanding our home hospital pilot, which has played such an important role in the early stages of the pandemic, but some people have to travel to get the health care they need and, when they do, we want to support them both in travel and in accommodation.

In terms of transport, the Marshall Liberal government continues to enhance the PAT Scheme. In terms of accommodation, in this year's budget we are also partnering with the Cancer Council South Australia, with an investment of $10 million to provide improved and expanded accommodation for the thousands of cancer sufferers who have to travel to Adelaide from regional South Australia and beyond.

This new multilevel lodge with a total cost of $30 million will help to reduce the stress and uncertainty for South Australians and their families who are battling cancer. The facility will include 120 rooms of supportive accommodation; the Cancer Council's SA information and support services; counselling services, which are provided free of charge to South Australians impacted by cancer; prevention and research programs; and culturally appropriate accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The lodge will replace the Cancer Council's Greenhill Lodge in Eastwood and Flinders Lodge in Kent Town, which are both nearing the end of their life. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021, with an expected completion in the middle of 2022. In addition to improved services for South Australians facing a challenging time, this project is expected to deliver more than 80 jobs throughout the construction phase and another 80-plus jobs ongoing to deliver the Cancer Council SA services. This is yet another example of the Marshall Liberal government delivering better services and more jobs for South Australians as we make health care more accessible.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Frank Pangallo has the call.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Mr President, I might take this one if that is okay.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bonaros has the call.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: With the consent of my colleague, I might take this one.