Vic: Funds from cancer institute redirected

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-1999
Vic: Funds from cancer institute redirected

Victoria's Health Minister JOHN THWAITES will investigate claims public donations to
a leading cancer hospital were redirected to other public hospitals.

Money donated by the public to Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute have been
redirected to other public hospitals to cover up their budget deficits.

The Age newspaper reports the money was reallocated by a health authority.

Only half the money donated to the Peter MacCallum hospital is marked for specific
purposes, allowing the rest to be moved around within the health network.

A leaked memo from the network's chief finanical officer to all chief executives,
dated october 27, states the network is in a cash position.

Sources are said to have verified the cancer hospital isn't in a position to have the
final say over the $7 million to $8 million donated to it each year.

A spokesman for the Peter MacCallum Institute said he would not comment.

AAP RTV smf

KEYWORD: CANCER (MELBOURNE)

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