An elected Dutton Coalition Government will step in to save a critical healthcare service for babies and children with rare and devastating conditions, after Anthony Albanese refused to continue its funding.
The Australia-first Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Service (CPRS) at the Royal Children's Hospital leads the way in complex colorectal and pelvic care in Australia, and it is seen across the globe as world-leading.
The unit provides irreplaceable care for babies and children with Anorectal Malformations, Hirschsprung Disease, and Chronic Constipation - Conditions which can lead to serious complications and even death, and have a serious physical and mental toll on patients and their families.
The Coalition is proud to have supported the CPRS with an initial $5.9 million investment in 2019. Now, both Federal and State Labor Governments are refusing to provide ongoing funding to continue the service.
Today, the Coalition has committed that we will provide a lifeline of $1.2 million through to June 2026 to ensure the ongoing operation of the CPRS.
The Coalition is committed to the continued operation of this critical service into the future and we will work with the Victorian Government to secure ongoing funding as part of a new 5-year National Health Reform Agreement from 2026-27 onwards.
Approximately 1,000 patients currently use this service, with around 150-200 new patients coming under the care of the service each year.
Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston said that the experience of these families is unimaginable.
“They deserve ongoing certainty that this world-leading service will be there to support their children through the immense challenges they face,” Shadow Minister Ruston said.
“This is a unique, globally-renowned service that has helped so many Australian children and babies with devastating and complex conditions. It is inconceivable that the Government would desert these children who need our help and support.
“We have committed today that under an elected Dutton Coalition Government, these families will always have access to the support they need and they deserve.
“If Anthony Albanese can find $15 million for pandas in his Budget, he should be able to find the funding needed to support these beautiful Australian babies – This is a test of his character. Australian parents are watching.”
Liberal Candidate for Chisholm, Dr Katie Allen said that as a former paediatric gastroenterologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, she has seen firsthand the lifelong impact that chronic colorectal conditions can have on children and their families.
“These are complex, often stigmatised conditions that people can feel uncomfortable talking about — but for the families living with them, the challenges are very real,” Dr Allen said.
“That’s why we must continue to support our world-class health services and specialists, who make an extraordinary difference every day. With the right care, compassion, and awareness, we can give every child the chance to live a healthy, confident, and dignified life.”
Key backer of the initial funding commitment and Member for Riverina, Michael McCornack said that this disastrous decision by Federal and State Labor Governments had left world-leading specialists without a future for their work and affected families distraught.
“Together with the amazing compassion and advocacy of Greg Hunt, my insistence on getting this world-renowned facility funded was one of the best things I did as Deputy Prime Minister.
“The overwhelming number of people who have contacted me to advocate for this service and the life-changing outcomes it provides underlines just how important this is.
“Sadly, inexplicably, the Federal Labor Government will not continue to support this vital centre which has been performing miracles and saving and immeasurably improving lives.”
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