Media release – Kristie Johnson, independent MHA for Clark, 5 September 2025
Women bear the burden of breast screen bus bungle
Tasmanian women will be forced to bear the burden of this bureaucratic bungle, leaving them without proper access to breast screening services for at least 18 months.
Women, especially those in our regional areas, deserve the very best screening service and we know that early detection is a lifesaver.
While I’m pleased the new Health Minister Bridget Archer has got hold of this bungle, and has taken steps to fix it, sadly this doesn’t help the women failed by the government.
I note the government’s offer of “additional transport options”.
But I’m worried about women who might for example now need time off work, accommodation, or childcare to attend screening services in Hobart or Launceston.
I will continue my advocacy on this matter and consult with stakeholders before proposing to Government a range of practical measures to ensure its transport options are accessible and meaningful for women who need it.
Background
The broken-down mobile breast screening bus “Luna” serviced the state’s east coast and southern regions until April this year, when it was finally withdrawn from service after a long period of ad-hoc servicing forced by mounting breakdowns.
The Health Department started preparing to replace the bus in 2022 and issued a tender for replacement that was inexplicably withdrawn in February 2024.
In April 2025, after Luna’s withdrawal made headlines, Health Secretary Dale Webster promised a replacement bus would be delivered by April 2026.
Today, Archer said the earliest date for delivery was now September 2026.
Media release – Bridget Archer, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 5 September 2025
Update on BreastScreen bus replacement
Additional transport options will be made available for Tasmanians living in regional and rural areas to attend Breast Screening appointments, following an updated timeframe for the replacement of the BreastScreen Mobile Screening Unit.
While the procurement process remains ongoing, the replacement bus is now expected to be back on the road in the next 12 months due to limited availability for the fit out of Mobile Screening Units across the country.
Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said the Department has been instructed to do everything possible to expedite the replacement, noting the complexities involved with procuring a replacement.
“The importance of breast screening cannot be overstated, and the Government is committed to ensuring Tasmanians can access Breast Cancer Screening, no matter where they live,” Archer said.
“Patient travel assistance and additional transport options will be made available for those Tasmanians affected by this, including a partnership with cohealth to provide a free charter bus from the East Coast to Hobart early next month, with more to be scheduled as needed.
“Eligible Tasmanians and those who have previously registered their interest will receive communication directly from BreastScreen Tasmania informing them of times and locations of transport options and opportunities over the coming months.
“We are also progressing our commitment to deliver new permanent BreastScreen clinics at Kingborough, Devonport, Triabunna and Glenorchy, which will increase access even further.”
Additional appointment opportunities are also being made available at fixed sites in Launceston, Rosny Park and Hobart, and the Department is also working to establish an interim BreastScreen site in Devonport while a permanent site is being developed.
This will free up Mobile Screening Unit Ida from visiting the Devonport region, allowing it to be redeployed to other communities across the State.
Media release – Tabatha Badger MP, Greens MP for Lyons, 5 September 2025
Unavailability of BreastScreen Bus Deeply Concerning
It’s deeply concerning that the government’s breast screening bus will continue to be unavailable to Tasmanian women for more than a year. The free mobile breast screening service ensured rural Tasmanian women could equitably access to early cancer detection screening.
This is vital given breast cancer is one of the most common cancer affecting Tasmanian women, with some forms being highly aggressive. This means that a six-month delay between medical appointments can be the difference between an early treatable diagnosis and a life-threatening stage 4.
News that the BreastScreen bus could be unavailable for another twelve months is incredibly concerning. I have been contacted by countless concerned women, some from the Break O’Day area who say their lives were saved by early detection at the visiting BreastScreen Bus. These women were not otherwise able to travel to Launceston for screening.
It’s good to hear that the new government is offering additional transport options to help women attend breast screening appointments. But this is going to leave women having to travel long distances to access vital healthcare and the reality is that many women cannot afford to take hours or even days off work to attend an appointment.
It’s unacceptable that replacement of the BreastScreen bus was not prioritised earlier by the Rockliff Government. It’s vital the Liberal Government do everything possible to ensure a BreastScreen Bus is back on the road as soon as possible so rural women can access the healthcare they need.
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