THE McGowan Government pre-election promise of $45 million for upgrades to Geraldton Hospital remains in limbo.
THE McGowan Government pre-election promise of $45 million for upgrades to Geraldton Hospital remains in limbo.
The Nationals WA Member for the Agricultural Region and Health Spokesperson Martin Aldridge MLC said the Premier’s visit to Geraldton earlier this month confirmed that no funding was provided in the 2017/18 State Budget.
“The Premier has confirmed the upgrades to Geraldton Hospital did not appear in this year’s budget, but could be expected in future budgets as his government undertakes further planning,” Mr Aldridge said.
“When questioned in Parliament, the State Government offered no assurance that the planning would be undertaken in a timely manner refusing to provide certainty on when a business case and scoping of the project would be complete,” Mr Aldridge said.
The WA Country Health Service is said to be developing a business case for the Geraldton Hospital redevelopment which would be submitted for consideration by government.
Mr Aldridge said the government is wasting further time and money, as a 2016 review had already been conducted under the former government defining a staged development of the hospital.
“The Labor Party is simply delaying this important project for the Mid West whilst they remain focused on delivering metropolitan public transport projects and election commitments in Labor held electorates,” he said.
Under questioning by Mr Aldridge in Legislative Council budget estimates hearings this week, the government confirmed that the estimated cost for the project had blown out.
“The Minister for Regional Development, Hon Alannah MacTiernan confirmed that the project had increased by some $13.5 million as they scrambled to plan and deliver the project,” he said.
“The Labor Party are paying lip service to the people of the Mid West and regional WA as they gut Royalties for Regions in government.”
The Labor Party will add $11.1 billion to State debt over the next four years largely delivering their city centric agenda.
