Candidates vying for the MacKillop seat in South Australia have collectively endorsed the establishment of radiotherapy services for the Limestone Coast. This consensus emerged during a candidate forum held in Mount Gambier, where each participant articulated their support for enhancing local healthcare services, particularly in cancer treatment.
The forum, organized by the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Group, took place on February 23, 2026. It featured incumbent independent MP Nick McBride, Liberal candidate Rebekah Rosser, Labor’s Mark Braes, One Nation’s Jason Virgo, and Jonathan Pietzsch from The Nationals. Candidates were invited to respond to a series of questions on the provision of radiotherapy services, alongside broader health service issues affecting the region.
Lachlan Haynes, chairman of the working group, expressed satisfaction with the forum’s turnout and the positive discussions surrounding radiotherapy. He noted that all candidates acknowledged the critical need for these services, particularly given that South Australia is the only state without regional radiotherapy options outside its capital.
“South Australia remains an outlier in the lack of provision of this treatment outside of its capital city, and that must change,” Haynes stated, emphasizing the strong community support for local radiotherapy, which has garnered over 16,000 signatures on a petition advocating for the service.
McBride articulated his support for local radiotherapy “in principle” while underscoring the necessity for meticulous planning. He highlighted that with the region’s growing and ageing population, expanding access to healthcare is paramount. He cautioned that implementing radiotherapy requires “highly specialised staff and appropriate infrastructure,” urging for a funding strategy grounded in expert advice to ensure sustainable operations without detracting from existing services.
Rebekah Rosser reaffirmed the Liberal Party’s consistent endorsement of a radiation therapy centre in Mount Gambier, labeling the absence of regional radiotherapy as inequitable. “Our position is clear: access to life-saving cancer treatment should not depend on your postcode,” she asserted. Rosser mentioned that the Liberals aim to reinstate $4.3 million in previously allocated federal funding, recognizing that operational support would require approximately $1.5 million annually. She called for swift planning and funding agreements to prioritize the project in the government’s first term.
Mark Braes, unable to attend the forum, expressed his support for radiotherapy services in the region through a written statement. He promised to advocate for adequate funding to secure specialist staff and equipment, while pointing to significant healthcare investments made by the Malinauskas Labor government.
Jason Virgo, representing One Nation, pledged to collaborate with the working group to elevate the proposal within Parliament. He reiterated his party’s commitment to enhancing decision-making authority for regional health authorities and local hospital boards.
Jonathan Pietzsch criticized South Australia’s lack of regional radiotherapy, stating it is unacceptable. He proposed a funding estimate of at least $25 million for establishing the service, asserting that a three-year implementation timeline is reasonable.
The candidates collectively emphasized the need for improved healthcare services across the Limestone Coast, advocating for better workforce recruitment, expanded specialist services, and the delivery of care closer to home. They also supported greater local representation on the Limestone Coast Local Health Network board. McBride suggested that local board members would ensure decision-makers fully understand the community’s unique health needs.
As the state election approaches, the working group encourages voters in Mount Gambier and MacKillop to consider candidates’ positions and participation in this crucial issue. “We will continue to advocate for this vital service, and with health being a high priority for many constituents, we hope voters will take these commitments into account when casting their votes,” Haynes concluded.
The campaign for a regional radiotherapy centre is seen as essential to alleviate the burden on cancer patients, who currently face long journeys for treatment. The working group remains resolute in its mission to secure local radiotherapy services, believing that it will significantly enhance the quality of care available to residents of the Limestone Coast.
