Mr Speaker,

I rise to speak on the opening of the Mildura Health Icon Cancer Centre.

The new treatment centre is based at the Mildura Health Private Hospital, and brings radiotherapy cancer treatment to Sunraysia residents.

While no one wants to be on the receiving end of a cancer diagnosis, the added burden of travel, staying in unfamiliar environment and being separated from loved ones will now not have to be part of their journey.

No longer will cancer patients need to travel to Bendigo, Ballarat, Adelaide or Melbourne to access treatment that frequently lasts 10 minutes a day for weeks at a time.  The tragedy is, there are people in Mallee who have chosen not to have treatment because of the travel.

My father endured this as a head and neck cancer patient for weeks at a time, having to travel and remain in Melbourne for treatment.

That was an incredibly difficult time for him, and I am glad to see local treatment is available for those who unfortunately need it.

I am very proud to have delivered $6.5 million of Coalition Government funding for this project, partnering with Mildura Health Fund to ensure this wonderful outcome.

I commend Mildura Health Fund and Icon for their commitment to regional health in the Sunraysia region of Mallee.

The centre will mean Sunraysia cancer patients can receive the best quality of care, locally.