MULLEWA HOSPITAL — REDEVELOPMENT
826. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I refer to the Mullewa Hospital
redevelopment and the Premier's correspondence to me of 23 June 2021,
which said that progress was being made to bring this project to fruition. I also
refer to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health's
response in a grievance that the costs and time lines for the hospital have
been impacted by increased labour and supply costs.
(1) Has the health
minister approached the Premier for funding for Mullewa Hospital as part of the
current midyear budget review process?
(2) Can the
community of Mullewa finally expect real action from the government in the
development of its hospital?
Mr M.
McGOWAN replied:
I thank the
member for the question.
(1) As the member
would be aware, considerations of the Expenditure Review Committee are
cabinet-in-confidence. The midyear review is due to be released later this
month.
(2) The Western Australian government remains
committed to the redevelopment of the Mullewa health centre. The
government has committed $6.3 million to the redevelopment. Like all projects,
it is facing cost and other pressures due to the current global market
conditions. Planning for the redevelopment continues, in consultation with the local community. Once
completed, the facility will provide access to a range of health
services under one roof. It will include enhanced primary and community care
facilities and will provide 24/7 emergency care from a new emergency
department.
I note that the former government had
eight and a half years to complete this project. It committed to it a year out from the 2017 election and then it
announced it would delay construction before the 2017 election.
Just so the member is aware, we are
investing in regional health like never before, including for Meekatharra Hospital, $50 million; Collie
Hospital, $14.7 million; Bunbury Hospital at South West Health Campus,
more than $200 million; Geraldton Health Campus, $122 million; the renal
dialysis centre in Halls Creek; an expanded Karratha Health Campus; a new
Albany dental clinic; the cancer facility in Albany;
Laverton Hospital; the Tom Price Hospital redevelopment; and, left off my list,
Newman Hospital.