‘A crime against cancer knowledge’: World-class Victorian research cops major budget blow

The initiatives that have lost funding include a research program to treat liver cancer and hepatitis B with cutting-edge mRNA technology; a platform that allows researchers to access detailed cancer data throughout a patient’s journey; and an education program that upskills medical practitioners working with cancer patients.

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McArthur said the future of many research and health jobs at the centre was now unclear.

He said he was desperately seeking alternative funding – potentially from universities, the federal government and philanthropists – to keep the programs afloat.

“We can’t let cancer patients down,” he said.

In an effort to curb spending, Treasurer Tim Pallas’ budget on Tuesday included wide-ranging funding cuts, delays to major projects and abandoned promises.

Victoria’s net debt is forecast to hit $187.8 billion by June 2028, leaving taxpayers with a daily interest bill of $25 million.

Rating agency S&P Global said the debt pile was set to “soar” compared with the government’s revenue, while Moody’s said interest payments would “significantly constrain” the state’s ability to spend.

Pallas said the ratings agencies had laid out their concerns, but Victoria had a path to getting the debt down.

“They have not put the state on ratings watch,” he said on Wednesday. “And I think unlike any other jurisdiction in the nation, at least we’ve demonstrated a road map on how we’re dealing with these issues.”

Chief executive of Rare Cancers Australia Christine Cockburn described the cut to the VCCC as a step backwards for Australia and Victoria, which had become the home of elite cancer research.

She said the collaboration between the 10 different research and medical organisations meant cancer research could move forward faster.

“A lot of our Australian and global cancer knowledge has come out of Victoria,” said Cockburn, who is based in NSW.

“Victoria is absolutely a shining beacon in Australian cancer research, and defunding something that is so incredibly effective and high functioning is really a crime against cancer knowledge.”

The VCCC was unveiled by former premier Daniel Andrews in 2016, with now-US President Joe Biden touring the building before its official opening and describing the $1.3 billion facility as “an asset that would add exponentially to the fight against cancer both here in Australia and around the world”.

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The architecturally designed Parkville facility is home to cancer treatment centre Peter Mac as well as the alliance, which is a joint venture of 10 research, academic and clinical institutions, including the Royal Children’s Hospital. St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne.

The VCCC funding cut isn’t the only cancer-related saving in the budget.

A $1.2 million pledge to SunSmart was highlighted in Tuesday’s budget documents – but that represents a more than 30 per cent funding cut to a program hailed as “one of the longest running – and most successful – skin cancer prevention programs in the world”.

Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in Victoria among both men and women, representing 8.6 per cent and 7.2 per cent of cancer cases respectively. Regional Victorians are 47 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than those living in major cities, according to the latest Cancer in Victoria report.

SunSmart runs public education campaigns and trains general practitioners on the use of dermoscopy – skin surface microscopy – to find skin cancers earlier.

In a press release on Tuesday, the government said its $1.2 million investment would help SunSmart “continue its critical program in early childhood and primary school settings”.

The government spokeswoman on Wednesday said the budget delivered $8.7 million to help improve cancer outcomes for Victorians and keep kids safe with the SunSmart program.

“This includes $7.5 million to help improve cancer outcomes through our Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, helping doctors and scientists meet the complex care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse people with cancer,” she said.