THE STANDARD

MONDAY, October 11, 2010

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$5m pledge for radiotherapy

REGION
by ALEX SINNOTT

TED Baillieu has fired the first

shots in the battle for South West
Coast by pledging $5 million for
a radiotherapy service based in
Warrnambool.
In a coup for the Peters Project
campaign for an integrated cancer
care centre, the state Opposition
Leader said the Coalition would
bankroll a radiotherapy machine
if elected next month.
Mr Baillieu also pledged to
subsidise the Melbourne to
Warrnambool Cycling Classic by
up to $50,000 per annum during a
whistle-stop tour of the south-west
on Saturday.
He made another election
commitment to allow for the
swift construction of the Portland
helipad if elected to government
by cutting red tape.
Mr Baillieu and South West
Coast MP Denis Napthine said
the radiotherapy machine would
be set up in Warrnambool but it
was yet to be determined whether
it would be located at St John of
God or South West Healthcares
base hospital.
Weve made a commitment and
were happy to do it, Mr Baillieu
told The Standard.
Theres no doubt (radiotherapy
unit) would be a fantastic service,
what we need to do is get the bunker in, get the machine in because
theres a desperate need for this
service and were happy to be a
part of (the commitment).
Most radiotherapy treatment
only takes about 15 to 30 minutes

STATE ELECTION
2010
every day for five or six weeks
(but) because radiotherapy is not
available in Warrnambool it means
patients are forced to relocate for
this treatment.
In May, the state government
initiated a feasibility study into
cancer treatment in the region
headed by Victorian Cancer Agency
chairman Bob Thomas.

its feasibility study into cancer

service provision for the region or
match the Coalitions pledge for a
south-west radiotherapy service.
It really sends the challenge out
to (Premier) John Brumby to match
this commitment before the state
election, Mrs Jellie said.
The feasibility study has really
stalled and a decision wont be
known until after the state election
which isnt good enough.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews
was unable to be contacted by The
Standard yesterday.
Independent candidate James
Purcell said any pledge of funding
was certainly welcome, but he
would be looking into the detail
before commenting further.

Peters Projects Vicki Jellie, state Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu, and South
West MP Denis Napthine in Warrnambool on Saturday.
101009RG42
Peters Project spokeswoman
Vicki Jellie said the proposed
funding would cut through the red
tape and clear the path to build an
integrated cancer care centre.
She challenged the state
government to either speed up

Greens candidate Jack Howard

said he was disappointed that the
two major parties had not committed funding to improve south-west
roads and rail infrastructure.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Theres no skirting the issue, this

teen queen has what it takes to
be the new Miss
Country Australia

Lauren Beattie, 17, of Geelong, may still be a

secondary school student, but she could well
on her way to becoming a queen after winning
the Miss Country Australia regional final in
Warrnambool yesterday. STORY: PAGE 2
101010RG22 Picture:

ROB GUNSTONE