State Government confirms oncology service funding discussions are ongoing after Mid West Budget briefing

WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti says funding for an oncology service in Geraldton is being discussed after a post-Budget briefing event in the Mid West. Ms Saffioti visited Geraldton and Exmouth on Monday to talk about last week’s State Budget with local stakeholders. A topic of discussion was the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment, which received a $43.4 million boost from the State Government as escalating costs bring the project total to $166.1m. Ms Saffioti confirmed talks were continuing between the State and Federal governments over funding of a radiation oncology service in Geraldton. “The minister for health (Amber-Jade Sanderson) briefed me this morning that they have ongoing discussions about the oncology issue,” she said. “They’re continuing to engage with the Commonwealth on that.” A State Government spokesperson confirmed the $9m allocated for 2027-28 in the State Budget is the Federal Government’s contribution to an oncology service. “The Cook Government continues to advocate to the Federal Government for a radiation oncology service in Geraldton, which was a commitment of the Morrison government that they never fully funded,” she said. “The $166.1 million redevelopment is the biggest investment in the Geraldton Health Campus since the Gallop Labor Government in the early 2000s and will transform public health care services in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions. “Recently, the redevelopment reached an exciting milestone with the appointment of the managing contractor and this priority project continues to progress.” The State Government confirmed it is also looking to partner with the Federal Government to upgrade a key road in the Mid West’s heavy haulage route. At the event, City of Greater Geraldton mayor Jerry Clune asked if anything was being done to repair Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road. The road has been flagged for safety issues by the community due to the drop-offs, while some have lobbied for more truck stops along the route. Ms Saffioti said the Government was aware of the pressures and that significant funding was needed. She confirmed they were looking to submit road upgrade plans to secure Federal funding. Also discussed at the event was the strategic industrial areas, and whether any Mid West options were being considered other than Oakajee Port. Ms Saffioti said streamlining the process to nominate areas was something to consider, including how the State Government could better work with local councils to roll out necessary infrastructure. The Shire of Chapman Valley also flagged concerns over its water supply, as some areas did not have a pipeline to access water. Chief executive Jamie Criddle said at the event issues like this shouldn’t happen in Australia, and likened the experience of some residents as living in a “Third World country”. Ms Saffioti said she would look into the issue.