Regional Radiation Treatment Services

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Regional Development on the topic of critical regional services. Given that the minister is a proud member of the Limestone Coast community, as she referenced yesterday in question time, has the minister personally signed the petition to support the establishment of a local radiation treatment facility in Mount Gambier and, if not, why not?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for her question—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —which is already being interjected upon, which I think is again showing a real lack of respect for what is a very important and sensitive matter. We know this proposal was rejected by the previous federal government. We know that—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —the governing board—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, please continue.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: We know that the consideration by the governing board of the Limestone Coast Local Health Network has been that this is not suitable to be delivered at this time. I would ask the question: do those opposite want a service that is not safe for Limestone Coast residents? I would hope the answer would be that they want only a safe service, and I would hope that they would acknowledge—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —that this should not be a political football that they use for any purpose. What this should be—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: What this should be is a factual—

The Hon. B.R. Hood interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —analysis of what can be provided safely and what cannot. The feasibility study is the next step, and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of that because we certainly want to make sure that services are provided in a safe manner. We want services provided in a safe manner, and that's what I look forward to seeing the outcomes of in terms of the feasibility study.