A re-elected Morrison Government will invest up to $375 million to establish a Landmark Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Queensland to provide world-class cancer care.
The Centre will combine research, diagnosis, treatment and care which will lead to better health outcomes and a greater chance of survival for cancer patients.
It will be designed and delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government and the experts in the Queensland Statewide Cancer Clinical Network.
The state-of-the-art facility, which is expected to be located in Brisbane at a location to be determined, will be based on the successful Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney, focusing on treating all cancer types.
Consistent with these facilities, a Queensland Comprehensive Cancer Centre would house comprehensive cancer services in one facility including state of the art on site imaging, chemotherapy, medical oncology, haematology and radiation oncology, cellular immunotherapy, clinical trials, day medical services an onsite pharmacy, rehabilitation facilities, and support services for families.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new Comprehensive Cancer Centre would combine research, diagnosis, treatment and care and lead to better health outcomes and a greater chance of survival for patients.
“A strong economy means we can guarantee the essential services Australians rely on,” the Prime Minister said.
“We will put $375 million on the table to establish a new Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Queensland to provide world-class cancer care for Queenslanders.
“This builds on recent investments we have made in Western Australia and South Australia to establish a national network of centres.
“Unlike Labor, we are able to plan for and make these investments because of our strong economic management.
“This new facility will create new jobs, and provide access to new services for patients and support for their families.”
Health Minister Greg Hunt said a Queensland Comprehensive Cancer Centre will save lives and improve lives.
“We all know somebody who has had their lives impacted by cancer and that’s why expert dedicated cancer care right here in Queensland is so important,” Minister Hunt said.
“The Morrison Government will establish a network of comprehensive cancer centres across the country to expand access to high quality care.
“Because of our strong economic management, we are able to invest in the essential services such as a Queensland Comprehensive Cancer Centre.”
According to the Cancer Institute NSW, access to a dedicated, expert and multidisciplinary cancer service through a comprehensive cancer centre has been found to lead to better health outcomes and a greater chance of survival for patients at 90 days following treatment.
Concentration of expertise in a Comprehensive Cancer Centre supports access to specialist nurses and supportive care, and research that is carried out by the same clinicians who treat their patients.
As part of the $375 million investment, $2 million will be put on the table immediately to develop the plan in collaboration with the Queensland Government and leading cancer experts.
Whilst Australia has some of the best cancer survival rates in the world, with a five-year survival rate of 70 per cent for all cancers, more can be done to deliver world-class care.
In 2021, over 150,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer and cancer accounted for nearly 50,000 deaths.
In Queensland, there are approximately 31,000 cancer diagnoses and over 9,400 deaths each year.
According to Cancer Australia, the most common forms of cancer include Breast, Prostate, Melanoma, Colorectal and Lung cancer.
The Morrison Government, through Cancer Australia, is currently developing a new 10 year Australian Cancer Plan to improve coordination of care and access to new treatments.
As part of this consultation process Comprehensive Cancer Centres have been identified as a priority to drive system-wide and national cooperation to accelerate implementation of best practice care.
