Moruya saw the visit today of Bill Shorten, Leader Of The Opposition with Fiona Phillips, Labor Candidate For Gilmore to announce that a Shorten Labor Government will boost cancer services for people in the Eurobodalla Shire by investing in a local radiation therapy facility.
In making the announcement Mr Shorten said “This is part of Labor’s announcement that we will invest $60 million building 13 new radiation therapy facilities in regional areas across Australia, with Eurobodalla the first location to be announced.”
“This is part of our $2.3 billion cancer care package – the most important investment in Medicare since Bob Hawke created it. Prior to making the announcement Mr Shorten and Ms Phillips visited the newly installed imaging facilities at the South East Radiology Clinic meeting clinicians and staff.
“Radiation therapy is underutilised in Australia, with just one in three patients offered the treatment compared to one in two in North America and Europe.
“That means approximately 15 per cent of Australian cancer patients who would benefit from radiation therapy miss out.
“Part of the reason for this gap is a lack of approved facilities, particularly outside our big cities. Labor will fully fund the Radiation Therapy Advisory Group’s plan to close this gap in regional areas. In making the formal announcement at nearby Apex Park, Moruya the Leader of the Opposition said “Cancer is responsible for the biggest burden of disease in Australia, and cancer patients in regional and rural areas are more likely to die within five years of diagnosis.
“This is one of the many ways in which the seven million Australians who live in the regions have poorer health outcomes than those in the cities. Labor is committed to addressing this inequality.
“Labor’s commitment to delivering a regional radiation therapy facility in Eurobodalla comes on top of our commitment to provide $25 million to help build a new Eurobodalla Hospital.
“We have also announced we will grant a full Medicare MRI licence to the region, boosting access to life-saving scans.
“This is all part of Labor’s Fair Go Action Plan to protect Medicare and fix our hospitals. We can afford these investments because we are tackling unfair tax loopholes and making multinationals pay their fair share.”
“People in the Eurobodalla Shire – from South Durras to Tilba Tilba – deserve the same access to vital hospital care as people in Sydney and larger regions.
“Only Labor has a plan to reverse these cuts and deliver a regional radiation therapy facility for Eurobodalla.” Ms Phillips told the Beagle “I am thrilled with the announcement. I know how much this will mean for those who have to travel to Canberra or Nowra for treatment.”
VIDEO: Bill Shorten, Leader Of The Opposition with Fiona Phillips, Labor Candidate For Gilmore today (April 5th, 2019) announced that a Shorten Labor Government will boost cancer services by investing in a local radiation therapy facility.
