Over the past few weeks, I have joined the VCCC Alliance after spending almost a decade working within the American healthcare system. My introduction to this remarkable organisation has been especially meaningful, as it marks my return home to Victoria.
My first real experience of the Alliance came through the Queens Hall Spotlight on Cancer Exhibition at Victoria’s Parliament House – and it was genuinely inspiring. Walking through the exhibition, I was struck not only by the extraordinary work being undertaken across our member organisations, but by the collective sense of purpose and collaboration that underpins cancer care and research in Victoria.
What made the experience even more special was the opportunity to connect with many of the people helping shape the future of our health system. I was privileged to spend time with Victorian Health Minister Harriet Shing, Opposition Health Spokesperson Georgie Crozier, and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, discussing both the challenges and opportunities ahead for cancer care, research, and equity across our state.
As someone returning home to Australia after many years abroad, it was a powerful reminder of the strength of Victoria’s cancer ecosystem and the unique role the VCCC Alliance plays in bringing people, institutions, and ideas together for the benefit of patients and families.
What struck me most was the bipartisan commitment in that room. Cancer doesn't recognise political boundaries, and neither does the determination to tackle it. This is an issue that transcends politics – it's about Victorians, their families, and their futures. That unity of purpose gives me genuine hope.
Over my career, I've had the privilege of working at the highest levels of healthcare systems on both sides of the Pacific. That experience has given me a clear-eyed view of what happens when healthcare systems become fragmented, when investment lags behind rising demand, and when equity is treated as an afterthought rather than a foundation.
Victoria's cancer system stands at a critical juncture. Annual cancer diagnoses are projected to rise 50% from 40,000 in 2024 to 60,000 by 2039. Without comprehensive investment, our health system simply cannot meet this demand. That's not speculation; it's mathematics.
But the challenge runs deeper than numbers. Today, in Victoria, our cancer outcomes depend too heavily on our postcode. Regional Victorians are 14% more likely to die from cancer. Aboriginal Victorians face a mortality rate 3.4 times higher. The most disadvantaged are 25% more likely to die. These aren't statistics. They're Victorians who deserve better.
Our system is fragmented. There is no clear "front door" for patients. Late diagnosis or delayed treatment can cost 10 times more than early intervention. Workforce capability varies dramatically across regions. These inefficiencies don't just waste resources, they cost lives.
I want to acknowledge the Victorian Government's ongoing investment in our health system, including support for Data Connect+, a statewide data platform designed to drive earlier diagnosis, more connected care, and better outcomes. This is welcome and important. Data Connect+ will enable clinicians, researchers, and health services to better understand patient pathways and respond more effectively. But let me be direct: data alone cannot fix a fragmented system.
Data Connect+ provides visibility into our problems. It shows us where patients are falling through the cracks, where inequity persists, and where our system is failing. That visibility is essential. But visibility without action is just information. We need solutions.
The VCCC Alliance is proposing a comprehensive three-pillar reform plan totalling $54 million over four years:
This is not about creating new structures. It's about strengthening what already exists and scaling proven solutions across Victoria. We know what works. We've tested it. Now we need to fund it.
Early diagnosis saves lives and reduces costs. Investment now prevents far higher costs later. Victoria is at a turning point. Without comprehensive investment, system pressure will grow, inequity will deepen, and we'll find ourselves on a path I've watched unfold in other healthcare systems – one marked by fragmentation, inefficiency, and widening gaps between those who can access care and those who cannot. I've seen what that looks like. Victoria deserves better.
Every Victorian deserves timely, high-quality cancer care, regardless of postcode or circumstance. That's not just good policy. It's a fair go. And it's achievable, if we act now.
Professor David Ashley
Chief Executive Officer
