Imagine being told that your child needs life-saving treatment, but it's not available in your country. This is the heart-wrenching reality faced by many families in Australia today. Children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening conditions are being forced to leave their homes and travel overseas to receive proton therapy – a state-of-the-art treatment that is not currently available in Australia. Even worse, some families simply cannot afford, or manage, the burden of such overseas treatment, leaving their children's lives hanging in the balance.

The Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research in Adelaide would change everything. Proton therapy is a highly advanced form of radiation treatment that targets cancer more precisely, minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This is especially crucial for children, whose bodies are still developing. Having a proton therapy centre in Adelaide would not only offer Australian families hope but would also place Australia at the forefront of cutting-edge cancer treatment and research.

Unfortunately, 8 years after the Federal Government and the South Australian Government invested in the development of the Centre, it still stands empty. The contract to deliver the equipment was cancelled in 2024 due to funding issues and there’s no further information on when the Centre will be completed.

We urge both the Australian and South Australian Governments to recognise the urgency of this situation. Completing this project is paramount to saving countless young lives and easing the burden on families who are already dealing with so much. 

It is time to commit fully to this essential health project. Invest in the future of our children. Ensure that Australian families have access to the life-saving treatments they need, close to home. We call upon the relevant authorities to act swiftly and complete the proton therapy centre in Adelaide without further delay.

Sign this petition to urge the Australian Government to prioritise and expedite the completion of the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research in Adelaide. Every signature counts in building a brighter, healthier future for our children.