❓ Opposition questions the Treasurer's commitment to Royal Perth Hospital's rebuild, citing conflicting statements and unfulfilled election promises. The Treasurer avoids direct answers, emphasizing the government's commitment to the hospital's future compared to the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 446Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROYAL PERTH HOSPITAL — TREASURER'S COMMENTS
446. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Treasurer's comments that he received
advice about the viability of Royal Perth Hospital and that, ''Fixing it
up could be more costly in an operating sense than tearing it down and
replacing it'', which has created more uncertainty about the future of
this hospital.
(1) Has the
Treasurer shown this advice to the Minister for Health and the Premier, who
seem to have two completely different versions of the policy?
(2) Given the
uncertainty surrounding this election promise, will the Treasurer now table the
advice to which he referred?
(3) Why did
the Treasurer promise $200 million for a rebuild at the last two elections, if
he had no intention of doing so?
446. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Treasurer's comments that he received
advice about the viability of Royal Perth Hospital and that, ''Fixing it
up could be more costly in an operating sense than tearing it down and
replacing it'', which has created more uncertainty about the future of
this hospital.
(1) Has the
Treasurer shown this advice to the Minister for Health and the Premier, who
seem to have two completely different versions of the policy?
(2) Given the
uncertainty surrounding this election promise, will the Treasurer now table the
advice to which he referred?
(3) Why did
the Treasurer promise $200 million for a rebuild at the last two elections, if
he had no intention of doing so?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
I thank the member for the question. One thing we know about the future of
Royal Perth Hospital is that its future is more secure under us than it is
under the opposition. The Labor Party was going to abandon Royal Perth
Hospital. We are going to replace or renew it; the Labor Party was going to
abandon it. The opposition was going to give it a very secure future—no
future. The Labor Party was very definitive: Royal Perth Hospital will close
down. We said the hospital does have a future.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! You have asked a question, member for Kwinana; let the
Treasurer answer. You can have a supplementary question.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : I
repeat: under the Liberal–National government, Royal Perth Hospital has
a future but under the alternative government it has none. If the member thinks
that is secure, that is his definition of secure. I think most workers and
users of Royal Perth Hospital would support the government's view of
the hospital's future. We are looking at redeveloping the hospital. The
government has put $19 million into the hospital to keep it up to scratch while
we look at its future.
Mr R.H. Cook : Why
didn't you say that at the election?
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We
will.
Mr R.H. Cook : No,
at the last election.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
These guys are something. We have gone on for two weeks with members opposite
whingeing on the one hand saying we spend too much, and on the other hand
whining that we do not spend enough. The government has spent $7 billion on
hospitals. Is that not enough?
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We
are committed to keeping Royal Perth Hospital and we are looking at how it will
be in the future and whether it will be a new hospital or a refreshed hospital.
That is called planning; contemplation. Look at it! That is what we do.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
A process!
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : The
process that we have, member for Cannington, is keeping the hospital.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member
for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the second time.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We
are looking at how Royal Perth Hospital will look in the future and whether it
will be a refreshed hospital or a new hospital. That is the appropriate thing
to do, but there will be a Royal Perth Hospital under a Liberal–National
government.
I thank the member for the question. One thing we know about the future of
Royal Perth Hospital is that its future is more secure under us than it is
under the opposition. The Labor Party was going to abandon Royal Perth
Hospital. We are going to replace or renew it; the Labor Party was going to
abandon it. The opposition was going to give it a very secure future—no
future. The Labor Party was very definitive: Royal Perth Hospital will close
down. We said the hospital does have a future.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! You have asked a question, member for Kwinana; let the
Treasurer answer. You can have a supplementary question.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : I
repeat: under the Liberal–National government, Royal Perth Hospital has
a future but under the alternative government it has none. If the member thinks
that is secure, that is his definition of secure. I think most workers and
users of Royal Perth Hospital would support the government's view of
the hospital's future. We are looking at redeveloping the hospital. The
government has put $19 million into the hospital to keep it up to scratch while
we look at its future.
Mr R.H. Cook : Why
didn't you say that at the election?
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We
will.
Mr R.H. Cook : No,
at the last election.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
These guys are something. We have gone on for two weeks with members opposite
whingeing on the one hand saying we spend too much, and on the other hand
whining that we do not spend enough. The government has spent $7 billion on
hospitals. Is that not enough?
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We
are committed to keeping Royal Perth Hospital and we are looking at how it will
be in the future and whether it will be a new hospital or a refreshed hospital.
That is called planning; contemplation. Look at it! That is what we do.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
A process!
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : The
process that we have, member for Cannington, is keeping the hospital.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member
for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the second time.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We
are looking at how Royal Perth Hospital will look in the future and whether it
will be a refreshed hospital or a new hospital. That is the appropriate thing
to do, but there will be a Royal Perth Hospital under a Liberal–National
government.
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