Joint Media Release with Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of The Nationals and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development The Hon Michael McCormack MP and Country Liberals Candidate for Solomon Kathy Ganley

New cancer-diagnostics equipment promised by the Country Liberals during the 2016 Federal Election has been installed at the Royal Darwin Hospital to improve the detection and treatment of cancer for Territorians.

Country Liberals Senator for Northern Territory Nigel Scullion and CLP Candidate for Solomon, Kathy Ganley said the purchase and installation of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner will make life much easier for patients.

“With a purpose-built building to house the new scanner nearing completion, its installation this week will allow patients to receive a quicker and more accurate diagnosis once the scanner is operational by the end of November,” Senator Scullion said.

“The next step will be the construction and fit out of a new cyclotron facility at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre.  The purchase and installation of a cyclotron will supply the isotopes used by the PET scanner for medical imaging.

“The CLP at a Territory and Federal level fought hard to deliver the $15 million federal funding required to build the new PET scanner and cyclotron to ensure Territorians are provided the best cancer services possible.”

Mrs Ganley said the Country Liberals were delivering better health services for Territorians and remained the only party with the ability to deliver and fund such important infrastructure in the Territory.

“The Coalition Government is absolutely committed to ensuring Territorians have access to the same level of amenity as people living in other parts of Australia,” Mrs Ganley said.

“CLP funded and delivered initiatives such as the new meningococcal vaccine programme for teenagers, the new MRI licence for Royal Darwin Hospital, as well as our $2 billion Commonwealth funding boost for NT public hospitals over five years (a 50 per cent increase) shows only the Country Liberals can be trusted to deliver better health care for Territorians.

“This new scanner means Territorians will be able to remain closer to their loved ones during treatment, an already stressful time for patients and their families.

“We look forward to the whole project being completed by late 2019,” Mrs Ganley said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Coalition Government’s $15 million investment will improve access to life-saving healthcare services in the Territory.

“This vital healthcare infrastructure means patients will get the care they need much more quickly and easily, as they’ll no longer have to travel interstate for diagnosis and treatment,” Mr McCormack said.

“Once this project is complete, patients will travel no further than Darwin to get the care they need and deserve.”

This project is funded by the Federal Liberal and National Government investing $15 million and the Northern Territory Government $8 million.