Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today, I want to celebrate the triumphant return of a service that our community in Adelaide's north has needed. With a combined effort between the South Australia state and the federal Labor government, it has been proudly delivered. The reopening of the SHINE SA clinic at Davoren Park is more than ceremony and ribbon-cutting; it is a restoration of care and commitment to the people of South Australia.

We all know that Spence is a community of enormous potential but also one of significant need. Health inequality here is real, and nowhere is that clearer than in sexual and reproductive health. In Playford alone, only 52 per cent of women participate in cervical screening; that's well below the state average of 64 per cent and far from the national goal needed to eliminate cervical cancer. Tragically, Adelaide's north accounts for nearly a quarter of all cervical cancer cases in South Australia.

When the former South Australian Liberal government cut funding to this clinic in 2019, it left a gaping hole in services and in the public's trust. Quite frankly, the northern community was left stranded by these heartless cuts made to SHINE SA. But today, with the combined leadership of the Malinauskas and Albanese Labor governments, and in partnership with SHINE SA, that trust is being rebuilt one appointment at a time. Through a $1.92 million investment by our government on top of a further $5.3 million by the state government, the Davoren Park Clinic is once again open, and it will be stronger than ever. Serving as a centre of excellence, it will not only deliver critical services but also serve as a statewide training hub for healthcare professionals. It brings world-class care right into the heart of Spence: accessible, inclusive and responsive to the cultural and social barriers that too often prevent people from seeking help. At a time when syphilis and other STIs are on the rise nationally, this clinic offers prevention, diagnosis and treatment close to home with compassion. SHINE SA will also play a vital role in delivering on the national goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, ensuring that women in Adelaide's north are not left behind in that mission. This is a proud example of what Labor governments do best: we invest in health, reduce inequality and deliver real outcomes for real people.

I thank Holley Skene and her team at SINE SA for their leadership and deep connection to the community of Spence. I thank every healthcare worker who will walk through those clinic doors. I thank the Malinauskas and Albanese Labor governments for recognising that health equity starts with investment, and for bringing this clinic back to life. Together, we are not only restoring services; we are giving people in Spence the care they deserve. We are doing it with a determination to eliminate cervical cancer, support inclusive care and build a healthier Australia for all.

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