Mrs SHELLEY HANCOCK (South Coast) [4.31 p.m.]: This evening I convey to the House the profound frustration currently experienced throughout the Shoalhaven community, despite the hard work and relentless fund-raising efforts of a group of people aimed at the ultimate project of obtaining a much needed linear accelerator in the South Coast area. The ultimate provision of this facility, when it is delivered, will be due to the efforts of a group of concerned individuals who had become increasingly concerned that cancer patients were forced to travel long distances, often exceeding two hours each way, in order to access radiotherapy services at the closest facility in Wollongong.

In 2004 this group of people launched its campaign, aimed at raising $1 million towards the facility, and began to liaise with Federal and State members to gain their support. In just over three years the group has raised almost $700,000.00 with the overwhelming support of the Shoalhaven community and, of course, the local Lions clubs. These funds have been raised through individual donations, postie bike rides, garden club events, raffles, bingo and special fundraising efforts. The Shoalhaven community has rallied together many times before to raise funds for causes such as this, and this effort has been no exception—indeed it has been exceptional.

The group became known as the LINAC Committee and more recently has been renamed the Shoalhaven City and Shoalhaven Lions Linear Accelerator and Cancer Treatment Fundraising Committee. The committee operates with significant support from Shoalhaven City Council, which has, from the beginning, provided significant financial support. I commend the mayor and the general manager for their commitment in relation to the provision of this facility.

The committee and the community believe there is a very strong case for the development of wide-ranging cancer care facilities in the Shoalhaven area. The population has been steadily increasing for some time now: currently it stands at about 100,000 but it is expected to rise to 135,000 by 2020. The population of the Shoalhaven has a much higher than average elderly population and older residents diagnosed with cancer find the lengthy travel times to Wollongong simply exhausting. In some cases individuals have chosen not to receive treatment because the distances involved mean that the travelling process is traumatic.

It is believed that a facility of the type we so urgently need in the Shoalhaven will also benefit other regions such as the Southern Highlands, Eden and north to Kiama. So why is the committee frustrated and confused, and more recently angered, at the events that have unfolded over the past few weeks? These emotions can be traced back to the 2007 State election when I invited the shadow Minister for Health to meet with the mayor and members of the committee to listen to their concerns as representatives of the entire Shoalhaven community. Jillian Skinner listened, understood, and was compassionate and vowed to support this project if the Coalition was elected.

Just a few days later it was announced that the Labor State Minister was to visit the Shoalhaven, and expectations were high that an announcement regarding the linear accelerator may have been imminent. Sadly, and tragically, no good news was delivered: the former Minister indicated that he and his Government had no intention of supporting such a facility. This was a slap in the face for the entire Shoalhaven community who had so passionately supported this cause for so long. In frustration the LINAC Committee approached the Federal Liberal member for Gilmore, Joanna Gash, who has on many occasions over the past 11 years demonstrated her commitment to her community. Joanna Gash responded to the committee—which raised the only other option of a private facility such as in Wagga Wagga—and was able to convince the Federal health Minister to commit start-up funds for a linear accelerator.

Naturally, the committee would have preferred a public facility, which would ensure access by all members of the community, irrespective of their financial situation. But faced with a State Government that simply was not interested there seemed to be no alternative—until last week, when the current State Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) decided to pour cold water on the Federal commitment. Disappointingly, this coincides with the Federal election campaign. The Minister's comments have not been well received and have been disappointing, given her Government's reluctance to listen to the Shoalhaven community. She has indicated that a public facility would be superior and that the Government is now looking closely at the project.

This evening I call on the Minister and the Government to do more than just look closely and to immediately commit to this project. I call on the Government to stop playing political games with those who are diagnosed with cancer and who are being forced to make difficult choices as to whether they can endure the travel times to Wollongong for their radiotherapy treatment. The ball is now in the court of the Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) to demonstrate that she is serious and not just playing political games. I have faith in this Minister: I believe she is committed and passionate in the position she holds currently. I invite her to visit the Shoalhaven area and talk with the LINAC Committee regarding the provision of a linear accelerator in the Shoalhaven community for the future.