Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP says the State Labor Government’s refusal to meet with the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party regarding their push for local radiation treatment services is an extraordinary show of disrespect for the Limestone Coast community.

 

“Separate meeting requests have been made to Minister Chris Picton MP and Premier Peter Malinauskas MP, with neither showing any willingness to meet,” Mr Pasin said.

 

Mr Pasin wrote to Minister Picton on 3 February 2023, requesting the Minister meet with the Radiation Treatment Working Party in Mount Gambier at his convenience.

 

To date no response to this meeting request has been received from the Minister.

 

“I find it incredibly insulting that the Minister can’t even find the time to respond let alone meet,” Mr Pasin said.

 

Newly appointed Chair of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party Lachlan Haynes wrote to Premier Peter Malinauskas on 6 March 2023 requesting a meeting with the group and received a reply shortly thereafter saying the Premier was unable to meet with the group.

 

“Premier Malinauskas visited Mount Gambier before and immediately after the State election last year, telling the people of the Limestone Coast that the region played a key role in the economic and social fabric of our state and promising to put an end to the State Government neglect of the region,” Mr Pasin said.

 

“As the Premier quite rightly stated 12 months ago, he is ultimately responsible for what his Government does going forward. How about listening to the community and making their voices count,” Mr Pasin said.

 

“For a State Government still attempting to make up for past mistakes in this region, his refusal to even speak to the community about an issue that has attracted well over 10,000 signatures is simply astounding,” Mr Pasin said.

 

The Radiation Treatment Working Party has met with Shadow Minister for Health Ashton Hurn and Shadow Minister for Regional Health Services Penny Pratt on 1 February 2023 in Mount Gambier. The group also met with Opposition Leader David Spiers 16 March 2023.

 

Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730