Nationals WA promise $10.3 million for pie in the sky radiation clinic promised in 2019 by Morrison government

The Nationals WA have pledged an additional $10.3 million to a radiation and oncology unit in Geraldton, which was initially promised by the Morrison government in 2019 but is yet to materialise. Nationals candidate for the seat of Geraldton, Kirrilee Warr is behind the election commitment which will help aid hundreds of families in the region access life-saving health care. As it stands, patients are able to receive some chemotherapy in Geraldton but radiotherapy must be administered in Perth. Opposition Leader Shane Love said the service was anticipated to provide support for hundreds of families each year. “According to data from the Department of Health, there are over 400 cancer patients in the Mid West, about half of whom could benefit from radiotherapy,” Mr Love said. “Since the 2020-21 financial year, 268 Mid West patients have undertaken a combined 1321 trips to Perth to access speciality radiation oncology services in Perth, costing the State Government over $1.1 million in subsidies.” The proposed radiation and oncology unit would be integrated within the new Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment. Ms Warr said a radiation oncology unit would have a significant impact for cancer patients and their families in Geraldton and the wider region. “This project would mean the world to families who regularly travel long distances to Perth for treatment, easing the burden of accommodation costs, loss of work, and being away from home during treatment,” she said. The former Coalition Federal government committed $9m towards a radiation oncology facility in 2019, but the State Government has not matched this funding to see the project to completion. A State Government spokesperson said: “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.” But Ms Warr said the 2024-25 State Budget included “no new funding for this crucial project”.