Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP says the State Labor Government’s refusal to meet with the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party regarding their push for local radiation treatment services is an “extraordinary show of disrespect for the Limestone Coast 
community”.

Mr Pasin said separate meeting requests had been made to Health Minister Chris Picton and Premier Peter Malinauskas, with “neither showing any willingness to meet”.

Mr Pasin wrote to Minister Picton on February 3, requesting the Minister meet with the Radiation Treatment Working Party in Mount Gambier at his convenience.

“To date no response to this meeting request has been received from the Minister,” he said.

“I find it incredibly insulting the Minister cannot even find the time to respond let alone meet.”

Newly appointed Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party Chair Lachlan Haynes wrote to Premier Malinauskas on March 6 requesting a meeting with the group and received a reply shortly thereafter saying the Premier was unable to meet with the group.

“Premier Malinauskas visited Mount Gambier before and immediately after the State Election last year, telling the people of the Limestone Coast the region played a key role in the economic and social fabric of our state and promising to put an end to the State Government neglect of the region,” Mr Pasin said.

“As the Premier quite rightly stated 12 months ago, he is ultimately responsible for what his government does going forward.

“How about listening to the community and making their voices count.

“For a State Government still attempting to make up for past mistakes in this region, his refusal to even speak to the community about an issue that has attracted well over 10,000 signatures is simply astounding.”

The Radiation Treatment Working Party met with Shadow Health Minister Ashton Hurn and Regional Health Services Shadow Minister Penny Pratt in February, as well as with Opposition Leader David Spiers last month.