Report sparks barrel claims

THE FEDERAL Government had shelved life-saving medical imaging technology for seven years before using it to “pork barrel” in marginal electorates like Corangamite, according to an ABC report this week.
A segment aired on the broadcaster’s 7.30 Report on Wednesday referring to a Geelong Independent article in which Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott pledged support for a PET scanner for the city.
Positron Emission Tomography, or PET, is a form of nuclear medical imaging hailed as the most effective tool for cancer diagnosis.
The article’s author, former Independent journalist Hamish Heard, cornered Mr Abbott about whether the Howard Government would commit funding to help establish PET scanning in the region.
Mr Abbott responded with “in principle” support for the project and stated he was “hoping” to announce funding for a PET scanner at Geelong’s St John of God Hospital “within weeks”.
But Labor’s shadow health minister Nicola Roxon and Greens Senator Christine Milne both criticised the Government over the timing of Mr Abbott’s comments to the paper.
“The Australian community ought to be really cynical when politicians come to town moments before an election and say, ‘hey I have this new machine for you,’” Senator Milne told the ABC.