Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Health, in writing, on 25 November 2019:

In respect of the Government's $63.4 million election commitment for expanded cancer treatment and services and the promise to fund a new radiation therapy centre in Tweed Heads:(1) Has a provider been contracted to provide these services in Tweed Heads; if so, was there a tender process and what were the details of the tender process; if not, will there be a tender process and what are the details of the tender process.(2) Does the Radiation Therapy Advisory Group (RTAG) have any role in rolling out these services.(3) Does the Government have a financial or other arrangement with the RTAG.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

Through the 2019-20 Budget, the Australian Government is providing funding to expand cancer treatment capacity through new radiation therapy services in 13 regional areas. The Tweed Heads region is one of the areas identified for a new centre. The specific locations and support to deliver services are not yet finalised, with funding to commence in 2020-21.

The Government plans to undertake a competitive tender process that allows potential providers to apply for funding under the initiative.

There is no financial or commercial agreement with the Radiation Therapy Advisory Group to deliver services in Tweed Heads, or any of the other regions.