04 May 2011
Mr MORRIS (Mornington) — I am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words in support of this bill which, as many members have commented, is essentially a subject in two parts.
The detail of the bill we are discussing this evening is about the process to be followed in terms of the status of the land. This bill has the support of the opposition, and so it is assured. It would be assured in any case as it is a government bill, but with bipartisan support it is certainly assured passage, and what follows from that is the opportunity to develop a purpose‑built comprehensive cancer research, treatment and care facility. This is an exciting concept and something that is desperately needed in this state.
As I said, the bill before us is essentially a necessary change to the legal status of the site. It was once the home of the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne in Parkville; it is the site bordered by Flemington Road, Elizabeth Street and Grattan Street. That hospital relocated long ago to 720 Swanston Street, which enables us to recycle the land, as it were, to have the existing permanent reservation removed and to have the land temporarily re‑reserved for health purposes. I understand this is the standard practice these days. I do wonder why a long‑term project like this might be temporarily reserved, and I am sure there is some legal basis for that, which is beyond a humble parliamentarian like me.
Once that process is complete a committee of management will be appointed, and then the exciting project can proceed.
That is essentially the meat of the bill. The existing permanent reservation is revoked by clause 3. Clause 4 deals with consequential issues arising from the effects of clause 3. The land will revert to the status of unalienated Crown land and will then be dealt with by the normal Crown land management process.
Clause 5 preserves the existing lease for CitiPower, which enables it to retain access to the site for a substation that is currently on the property. Clause 6 basically refers to the ability for the registrar of titles to register the land. Clauses 7 and 8 are essentially consequential clauses affecting the Royal Melbourne Hospital Act 1935.
That is almost the entire technical detail of the bill. There is absolutely nothing controversial in the bill at all in terms of the process to be followed with the revocation of the permanent reservation and the re‑reservation on a temporary basis for health purposes.
As I said at the outset, what is of great importance for the Victorian community is that the site then, once it is temporarily reserved for health purposes, becomes available for the construction of a purpose‑built comprehensive cancer centre.
As others have remarked, the scourge of cancer in our community and in any modern community is felt, I would suggest, by everyone, whether they be our family, friends, acquaintances or colleagues. I am sure that almost everyone in this state has been touched in some way by the terrible scourge of cancer. It is the greatest cause of mortality in Victoria. As a consequence it generates a high level of public concern. People are concerned for themselves, their families and their loved ones. A more pragmatic but no less significant issue for us on this side of the house as a government and for all members as legislators is that the care of cancer patients consumes a significant proportion of all health care delivered in this state. While I do not have any figures in front of me, it seems to me that it is, sadly, a growing proportion and certainly a growing demand.
The new cancer centre will not cure the problem. We know the task is far greater than that, but at least it puts in place a process where the more minds that are dedicated to delivering comprehensive cancer services the more quickly we are likely to have methods available to reduce the impact of cancer. As has been said on this side of the house, we in this government are certainly committed to funding and supporting cancer services on an ongoing basis, because it is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges in health in the current era.
What are we actually going to see with this cancer centre? It will be a world‑class, purpose‑built facility for research, treatment and care, as I said before. It will certainly accelerate the translation of the very innovative research that is being done into new treatments. That is where the business end is. The research is obviously important as a precursor to treatment, but the treatment is where it cuts in.
Some 1400 researchers will be able to be accommodated in the new centre. It will have 196 inpatient beds; 110 same‑day treatment places, which will be effectively for day surgery; and 8 medi‑hotel‑type beds, which will provide supported accommodation for those who do not need an acute inpatient bed. The centre will have 30 000 square metres of specialised research space. That is quite a figure. It will have a clinical trials facility with 24 treatment places; education facilities; training facilities; an outpatient clinic for treatment of outpatients; 8 radiation therapy bunkers; and a necessity in the modern era, a 700‑space car park, which is something fairly basic.
The member for Richmond referred to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre near the back of Parliament House. I note in passing that it is on a site well known to me because I was born there when St Andrew’s Hospital was on the site, which is going back a long time. In the interim Peter Mac has become, as the member for Richmond also rightly said, a much‑loved part of this community.
Peter Mac will be an important part of the centre. Melbourne Health, which incorporates the Royal Melbourne Hospital, will also be involved, as will Melbourne University, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital. There will be an opportunity for all those partners to be involved, but particularly Peter Mac and the relevant clinical and research services from Melbourne Health, Melbourne University and the Ludwig institute that will be located on the site.
It will be a $1 billion facility. It is important to note that both the Victorian and commonwealth governments have committed roughly equal amounts of money to it. That is obviously to be commended, because a state cannot do these things on its own. It is public money that will be well spent.
Extensive consultation regarding the development of the centre has been undertaken between potential joint venture partners, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and others. Not only will the centre provide a great health facility but it will result in significant local industry participation, employment opportunities and other things as well. Not only will it be a tremendous health facility in Victoria for the long term but in the shorter term it will generate jobs and advances in other areas as well. I understand that the public tender process is under way. It is a tremendous project, and I wish the bill a speedy passage.
Legislative Assembly 4 May 2011
Printer Friendly Version...