News Release

Premier Jay Weatherill

Minister Jack Snelling

Minister for Health Industries

Tuesday, 25th August, 2015

Why SA should lead the way on proton therapy

Premier Jay Weatherill says South Australia has the opportunity to become a national leader in
proton therapy and research, and is lobbying the Federal Government to partner in a new
centre based at our biomedical precinct.
Proton therapy is at the forefront of cancer treatments, able to deliver a more precise and
effective dose of radiation than traditional forms of radiotherapy.
Meeting with proton therapy researchers today at the South Australian Health and Medical
Research Institute (SAHMRI), Mr Weatherill said the benefits of investing in proton therapy
research can not be understated.
This technology will result in more cost effective and better cancer treatment for thousands of
Australians, Mr Weatherill said.
A major advantage of proton therapy is that it delivers significantly lower doses to unaffected
normal tissue, which is particularly important for the treatment of cancer in children.
We are making significant progress in the development of proton therapy treatment here at
SAHMRI, but I want South Australia to become the nations leader.
I have written to the Prime Minister asking for his support for a national centre for proton
therapy and research, based here at our our biomedical precinct and collocated with our new
Royal Adelaide Hospital and future Womens and Childrens Hospital.
I have been encouraged by the Prime Ministers receptiveness to this proposal, which will also
create highly skilled jobs for generations of South Australians.
Minister for Health Industries Jack Snelling said South Australia has been investigating proton
therapy for well over a decade and through the federally licensed cyclotron facility at SAHMRI,
already has superior diagnostic capabilities.
With co-location of the proton therapy unit, diagnosis can be quickly translated into superior
treatment results and better outcomes for patients, Mr Snelling said.
Currently, the Commonwealth Government is funding a small number of patients, at a
significant cost, to receive proton therapy overseas.
This number is only going to rise with the growing awareness of proton therapy as a leading
form of cancer treatment, and the growing availability of proton therapy units internationally.
SAHMRIs Executive Director, Professor Steve Wesselingh, said that the South Australian
Health and Biomedical Precinct on the North West corner of Adelaides CBD is the perfect
location for the Proton Therapy Unit.

www.premier.sa.gov.au

Twitter: @sa_press_sec

Co-locating the Proton Therapy Unit at our emerging state-of-the-art research, teaching and
clinical care precinct, in collaboration with Flinders University, would position South Australia
as a national leader in this field Professor Wesselingh said.

www.premier.sa.gov.au

Twitter: @sa_press_sec