Northern Territory Oncology Unit Delays

After the Federal Government made $13 million dollars available, plus substantial recurrent and ongoing funding into the future, it now appears that the ALP is backing away from keeping its commitment to make up the shortfall for what is essentially a Territory responsibility.

The Opposition Health Minister, Dr Richard Lim, today expressed exasperation at the three ringed circus that is beginning to surround the ALP's promise to deliver a Radiation Oncology Unit to Territorians.

After originally making the promise prior to the 2001 election and then restating it as being in the bag prior to the 2005 election, the unit has now been made possible by Member for Solomon, Dave Tollner.

"In spite David's efforts, Health Minister Toyne looks as though he is about to drop the ball,” a furious, Dr Lim said today.

"The NT Government turned to the Federal CLP Member for Solomon and pleaded for help. He delivered.

"It is disgraceful that Territory Labor has promised this facility to Territory cancer patients, yet failed to deliver. Most abhorrent is that when the Federal Member for Solomon, David Tollner swallows his political pride and successfully obtains money to fulfil this ALP promise all we hear from Mr Toyne is that it is not enough.

"The CLP has done everything the ALP asked them to do.

"If Toyne is relying on the Frommer report to justify this new figure of $50 million, which it appears he has invented, then let's see this secret report and let's see where this $50 million figure is coming from. But Mr Toyne will not table this report because he knows it will not cost anything like $50 million.

"This government has sucked $750 million more than they expected out of the Federal Government's GST breast, they have sucked $378 million out of the pockets of Territorians this year, and even with $13 million immediately plus ongoing funding on the table for the Oncology unit, they are still playing games with cancer patients.

"For pity's sake Ms Martin and Mr Toyne, get on with it!”

2006-05-11