❓ Opposition questions the government's decision to privatise advice on privatising hospital services, citing past failures. The Minister deflects by highlighting cost overruns during the previous government's construction of Fiona Stanley Hospital.
AnsweredQoN 313Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FIONA STANLEY HOSPITAL — SERVICES PRIVATISATION
I have a supplementary question. Given the huge waste of money and the reduction in hospital services in the 1990s, why is the government repeating that effort by privatising the advice on privatising the hospital system? Dr K.D. HAMES
I have a supplementary question. Given the huge waste of money and the reduction in hospital services in the 1990s, why is the government repeating that effort by privatising the advice on privatising the hospital system? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
The member talks about the huge waste of money. He is aware that an Auditor General report into Fiona Stanley Hospital is about to come out. He may be aware also that the report directs some criticism at the escalation of the cost of Fiona Stanley Hospital. The hospital was originally estimated to cost $400 million. It soon escalated to the more realistic figure of $800 million, or roughly $1 million per bed, which was the international rate of the cost of hospital beds, and then it went up to $1.76 billion under the former government. It is one of the most expensive hospitals ever to be built in this state, if not in the world. Do not talk to me about wasted money and cost blow-outs. The former government is famous for it.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: The member talks about the huge waste of money. He is aware that an Auditor General report into Fiona Stanley Hospital is about to come out. He may be aware also that the report directs some criticism at the escalation of the cost of Fiona Stanley Hospital. The hospital was originally estimated to cost $400 million. It soon escalated to the more realistic figure of $800 million, or roughly $1 million per bed, which was the international rate of the cost of hospital beds, and then it went up to $1.76 billion under the former government. It is one of the most expensive hospitals ever to be built in this state, if not in the world. Do not talk to me about wasted money and cost blow-outs. The former government is famous for it.
The member talks about the huge waste of money. He is aware that an Auditor General report into Fiona Stanley Hospital is about to come out. He may be aware also that the report directs some criticism at the escalation of the cost of Fiona Stanley Hospital. The hospital was originally estimated to cost $400 million. It soon escalated to the more realistic figure of $800 million, or roughly $1 million per bed, which was the international rate of the cost of hospital beds, and then it went up to $1.76 billion under the former government. It is one of the most expensive hospitals ever to be built in this state, if not in the world. Do not talk to me about wasted money and cost blow-outs. The former government is famous for it.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: The member talks about the huge waste of money. He is aware that an Auditor General report into Fiona Stanley Hospital is about to come out. He may be aware also that the report directs some criticism at the escalation of the cost of Fiona Stanley Hospital. The hospital was originally estimated to cost $400 million. It soon escalated to the more realistic figure of $800 million, or roughly $1 million per bed, which was the international rate of the cost of hospital beds, and then it went up to $1.76 billion under the former government. It is one of the most expensive hospitals ever to be built in this state, if not in the world. Do not talk to me about wasted money and cost blow-outs. The former government is famous for it.
The member talks about the huge waste of money. He is aware that an Auditor General report into Fiona Stanley Hospital is about to come out. He may be aware also that the report directs some criticism at the escalation of the cost of Fiona Stanley Hospital. The hospital was originally estimated to cost $400 million. It soon escalated to the more realistic figure of $800 million, or roughly $1 million per bed, which was the international rate of the cost of hospital beds, and then it went up to $1.76 billion under the former government. It is one of the most expensive hospitals ever to be built in this state, if not in the world. Do not talk to me about wasted money and cost blow-outs. The former government is famous for it.
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