The first dedicated cancer hospital in NSW has been officially opened by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Mike Baird.
The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney has been expanded to accommodate 125 overnight beds, eight operating theatres and an intensive care unit that will be available to both public and private patients.
Speaking at the official opening of the expanded centre, Mr Abbott said the facility showed the government's commitment to battle the deadly disease.
"It's a thrill for me to be here today," Mr Abbott told guests including opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek, former prime minister Kevin Rudd and former NSW governor Dame Marie Bashir.
"We're here today at the end of a 13-year journey ... we're here because the fight against cancer matters."
Mr Abbott described himself as a "member of the B-team" in relation to the development of the centre.
"Be there at the start, be there at the finish ... in the meantime let other people do the heavy lifting."
Mr Baird said the occasion was an opportunity to put political differences aside.
"Everyone agrees ... this is something we should be very proud of," the NSW Premier said.
"We have been absolutely amazed and inspired by Chris' work."
Mr O'Brien's widow, Gail, said her late husband had fought to make the centre a reality "until the very end".
"We are all now bathing in the light of that dream," she said on Friday.
More than 100 people are diagnosed with cancer each day in NSW.
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