GRADY HUDD & SAM BRADBROOK

MEMBER for Spence Nick Champion has forewarned federal health minister Greg Hunt that more questioning is to come over his decision to overlook Gawler hospital for a fully Medicare-rebatable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) licence.

Mr Hunt was questioned by the Labor Opposition in federal parliament in early August about why he granted a licence to an Adelaide-based private practice whose chief executive, Cara Miller,
is vice president of the South Australian Liberal Party.

It came after two medical imaging companies – Dr Jones & Partners and Benson Radiology – had their applications for Medicare- rebatable licences for Gawler knocked back in February.

Shadow health minister Chris Bowen continued to put pressure on Mr Hunt this week, revealing he also awarded a licence to West Australian MRI clinic SKG Mandurah, whose owner has donated over $500,000 to the Liberal Party.

The clinic is also located only four kilometres from another Medicare-rebatable MRI unit.

Speaking to The Bunyip while in Gawler last Wednesday, Mr Champion said the Labor Opposition would continue to scrutinise Mr Hunt over his decision to overlook Gawler hospital.

“The one thing we want to make sure of in this country is that healthcare services are allocated on the basis of need,” he said.

“I would’ve thought Gawler hospital being a busy hospital in the outer metro area, where we know these services are needed, probably had a fairly good case.

“I’m sure Chris Bowen and others will get to the bottom of why licences were allocated the way they were.

“I’m sure it will be the subject of more questioning, in estimates in particular; we want to make sure the process in place throws up the right results.

“It appears on the face of it that you have a lot of MRI options in Adelaide, but not many out north here.”

The next round of federal estimates hearings will take place in October.