Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledges $77m for new Bragg Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Adelaide

Thousands of lives could be saved at a new hi-tech cancer centre in Adelaide that both major parties have now promised to fund.

Doctors would save up to 2000 lives every year at a new hi-tech cancer research centre that Scott Morrison has promised to build in Adelaide with a $77m injection if re-elected at the May 21 poll.

The Prime Minister unveiled the election pledge on Wednesday, promising to establish the Bragg Comprehensive Cancer Centre (BCCC) in Adelaide’s medical precinct on North Terrace by 2025.

Labor also promised to match the commitment if elected, essentially locking in the project regardless of who forms government.

The centre would be inside a new building as part of the $500m Australian Bragg Centre, and help save the lives of cancer patients around the country.

“This is about bringing together leading researchers, leading doctors, nurses and carers, and world-class facilities,” Mr Morrison said.

“We can help them with new treatments and new research that will give them more time with their loved ones, and even help them beat cancer.”

PM Scott Morrison with Boothby aged care resident Kathy. Picture: Jason Edwards

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged $77m to establish a new cancer research centre in Adelaide. Picture: Jason Edwards

The federal government would invest $77m to establish the BCCC, which would become a hub of cancer research and testing, leading to an estimated 2000 cancer cases prevented, diagnosed early or treated “more effectively” in SA. Patients from the Northern Territory would also be treated at the centre.

Labor promised to match the investment if elected. Mark Butler, the party’s health spokesman, said Labor had a “long history” of supporting the Bragg Centre in Adelaide.

“Labor established comprehensive cancer centres over a decade ago,” Mr Butler said.

“This government has had a decade to do something, and it’s only on the eve of an election they act.”

The BCCC would operate within the Australian Bragg Centre, which is also set to become the home of the nation’s first ever proton therapy unit.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said about 11,500 South Australians were expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.

Senator Birmingham said the BCCC would help doctors determine the most effect cancer treatment quicker and map out support services for patients, while adding it would attract even more medical research investment to the state.

“Most South Australians are touched by the tragedy of cancer at some stage and so many will be helped by this transformation of cancer care, diagnosis and treatment,” he said.

The project was proposed by the Adelaide Health Innovation Partnership between the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the University of Adelaide and SAHMRI.

An impression of the Australian Bragg Centre on North Terrace. Picture: Supplied

The Bragg Comprehensive Cancer Centre would be located in the Australian Bragg Centre.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said BCCC would be Adelaide’s version of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria.

“We’re taking the successful Peter MacCallum Centre model and extending it to South Australia,” he said.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Hoj said BCCC would draw on expertise across existing health networks.

“Integrating the clinical care, research and education strengths of the Central Adelaide Health Network, University and SAHMRI will bring South Australia into line with the world’s best practice for the development and delivery of cancer treatment,” he said.

SAHMRI executive director Professor Steve Wesselingh said the centre would facilitate collaboration to between teams to accelerate patient treatment and care, and the network of comprehensive cancer centres will “drive each other to deliver for the communities we serve”.