The petition for a radiation treatment centre to be established in the Limestone Coast was tabled in the South Australian House of Assembly on Thursday.

The hard-copy petition received 16,000 signatures from Limestone Cosst residents in 10 weeks.

The petition calls on Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton to commit the necessary funding to deliver radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast, thereby utilising the Federal Government’s $4.3m specifically allocated to the proposal by the Coalition Government in 2019.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the petition was a sending a clear message to the minister that this issue was a priority for the Limestone Coast community.

“The community support for the proposal has been overwhelming and the Working Party who have been so dedicated are to be commended,” Mr Pasin said.

“Not only does it tell me I was correct in advocating for radiation therapy back in 2018-19, but it makes it very clear to the State Labor Government they need to take this issue seriously.

“It’s bitterly disappointing the State Government is so focused on continuing to reject a proposal from 2018 rather than looking for solutions moving forward.

“All we seem to be hearing from the Labor Government is excuses and blame shifting.

“The fact of the matter is the Labor Government have the ability to make this happen in 2023.

“I’m focused on bringing solutions to the table, including getting the Limestone Coast listed on the Radiation Oncology Health Program Grants Scheme priority list which would give access to an additional $3m in federal funding.

“These are the practical actions the State Government seem unwilling to consider.

“I want Minister Picton to stop kicking the can down the road and start delivering improved health outcomes for the people of the Limestone Coast.

“The Limestone Coast deserves better.”

The petition will now trigger the Legislative Review Committee to investigate the matter and report back to both houses.

The responsible minister in each house is then required to table a response and make a statement outlining what, if any, action is to be taken in relation to the petition.

Radiation Treatment Limestone Coast Working Party chair Lachlan Haynes questioned why it was considered safe to have a radiation treatment centre in cities such as Adelaide and Warrnambool but not the Limestone Coast.

“In parliament, the questions really were not very well addressed, and in the upper house they were directed at Clare Scriven, and her answers were less than satisfying about the board’s recommendation at the point of not supporting it or doing a feasibility study,” Mr Haynes said.

“She was also worried about it being unsafe, which we do not accept as good enough reasoning.

“We challenge on that feasibility study why other states can do it, why it stacks up in another state, but would not stack up here.

“If there are obstacles or problems, we work through them to provide the service, we do not find reasons to not provide the service.

“I want more positivity, not negativity, less reasons why we cannot do it and more reasons why we can do it.”

Mr Haynes said a private meeting was held with the working group, Minister Picton, Minister Scriven and Limestone Coast Local Health Network chief executive Ngaire Buchanan.

“It is becoming clearer and clearer the local health board has actually already got plans to want to commit to go forward spending that $4.3m of federal funds on sort of a cancer wellness project, some of which is basically ground maintenance, like repairs of paths and cracks, a nurses communication system and things like that,” he said.

“That is maintenance that should just be done out of a normal budget, so we are not happy hearing that.

“We have asked the minister and we asked Ngaire to go back to the board to convey our strongest fears of that money being spent before the feasibility study has come back and we do not want that money spent, we want it quarantined.

“We are increasingly saddened and disappointed that this already seems to be moving in a direction where the local health body seems to want to move to spending that $4.3m on other side projects, still under the guise of cancer, but not being the radiotherapy that we want.”

Mt Haynes said the group felt very confident they were a strong, respected voice for the Limestone Coast that could not easily be dismissed.

“I would just like to thank the people of the Limestone Coast for supporting us in such a strong way and we are still there advocating and fighting as hard as we can for them to get this service,” he said.

Liberal upper house Member Ben Hood MLC said the outcome was directly from the Labor playbook, which the Limestone Coast community were all too familiar with.

“Within 72 hours of becoming Premier, Peter Malinauskas made the trip to Mount Gambier, promising that his government would not neglect the South East,” Mr Hood said.

“Within 12 months, he has broken that promise and the hearts of more than 16,000 members of our community.

“It is nothing less than a kick in the guts to the Limestone Coast.

“I will continue to fight for radiotherapy in the region along with the State Liberal Opposition, Tony Pasin and the hardworking committee members.

“The Malinauskas Labor Government must stop neglecting the South East and commit to delivering this vital service.”

Minister Scriven and the LCLHN have been contacted for comment.