Leadership matters.

Over the past few days, many people have written to Premier Peter Malinauskas encouraging him to meet with me and show leadership on proton therapy.

Many have now received the same response:

"As these matters fall within the portfolio responsibility of the Treasurer, the Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP, we have taken the liberty of forwarding your correspondence to the Treasurer's Office for consideration."

Respectfully, this response raises more questions than it answers.

Under South Australia's Westminster system of government, the Premier is the Head of Government. He chairs Cabinet, determines ministerial responsibilities through the Machinery of Government, leads whole-of-government priorities and oversees major Commonwealth-State initiatives.

Treasury provides advice on funding.

Cabinet sets priorities.

The Premier leads Cabinet.

Proton therapy is not simply a Treasury issue.

It is a whole-of-government issue involving health, major infrastructure, medical research, education and workforce development, economic development, interstate patient care, overseas treatment pathways, Commonwealth-State partnership and national service delivery.

For almost two years I have tried to engage directly with the Premier. Letters. Emails. Invitations. Public requests. Open letters.
Instead, this issue continues to be redirected between departments.

No more.

If the Premier can provide leadership on major sporting events, defence projects, hospitals and other cross-portfolio initiatives, why not on proton therapy?

This is not only about children, although they deserve every opportunity.

It is about adults too.

It is about giving Australians access to world-class cancer treatment without leaving the country.

It is about creating a highly skilled workforce.

It is about attracting world-leading clinicians and researchers.

It is about medical innovation.

It is about major health infrastructure.

It is about making South Australia home to the first proton therapy centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

That would be a gold medal for South Australia.

And if the Premier needs a sporting analogy... Other states are now entering the race. Does South Australia want to lead from the front, or watch from the sidelines?

I've drafted letters in the comments below for anyone who wishes to write to the Premier. Please feel free to use them as a starting point or adapt them in your own words.

Please share this far and wide.

The louder we are, the harder we are to ignore.

Leadership matters.