The Leukaemia Foundation has welcomed the Liberal and Nationals Coalition’s commitment to match the Carroll Labor Government’s $53.6 million election commitment to the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS), securing bipartisan support to lift the accommodation subsidy from $49.50 to $125 per night and the private-vehicle rate from 21 to 35 cents per kilometre.
The Foundation commends Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier for acting within 24 hours of Labor’s announcement.
The commitments follow the Leukaemia Foundation’s Cut the Cost of Cancer campaign, with more than 3,000 Victorians signing a petition calling for the accommodation rate to be lifted to $125 per night. The Foundation is also one of 19 cancer, research and consumer organisations in the VPTAS Alliance that have been calling on Victoria to lift its regional patient travel support.
Once delivered, the commitment would move Victoria from last to equal first alongside South Australia on the Leukaemia Foundation’s National Patient Travel Scorecard, released last month. The Foundation will publish an updated Scorecard when the new rates take effect.
Leukaemia Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Chris Tanti, said the speed of the Coalition’s response showed the strength of community support behind the campaign.
This morning we said Labor’s commitment was a breakthrough, but not a guarantee. This afternoon, with both major parties committed to the same rates, it is far closer to one.
“We thank the Coalition for matching this commitment without delay. We also thank the more than 3,000 Victorians who signed our petition, and our partners in the VPTAS Alliance, whose combined advocacy made this impossible to ignore,” Mr Tanti said.
Merryn Howell, from Benalla, has twice had to relocate to Melbourne for blood cancer treatment and knows how quickly the costs compound.
“Knowing that both sides of politics have now committed to this will mean so much to regional patients,” Ms Howell said.
“When you’re facing treatment hundreds of kilometres from home, the last thing you should be worrying about is whether you can afford a bed for the night. This support will make a real difference.”
Mr Tanti said the Foundation’s focus would now turn to delivery.
“Bipartisan support is a significant milestone, but regional Victorians have waited more than a decade for these rates to move. We will be working with whoever forms government to ensure the new rates are delivered in full, and to keep improving access to cancer care and services for regional Victorians,” Mr Tanti said.
Join the call to Cut the Cost of Cancer.
Sign the petition at cutcancercost.org.au and urge governments to provide better financial support for Australians impacted by cancer.
For support, people affected by blood cancer can contact the Leukaemia Foundation on 1800 620 420 or visit leukaemia.org.au.
