15 December 2010 in Mayo News
Both the Federal and State Labor Health Minister’s need to clarify today if they stand by their health election commitments in Mount Barker after revelations in The Courier newspaper that they appear to be stepping away from a number of pledges.
In April this year, State Health Minister John Hill pledged $3.5 million to upgrade the maternity unit at Mount Barker hospital. Now after eight months of silence, and no detail forthcoming, he says no figure has been set.
The hospital is already overstretched and with the State Labor Government wanting to expand the population in the area by 25,000, there is no doubt over the importance of this project.
The Minister needs to re-commit to his promised $3.5 million upgrade of the maternity unit today.
In July this year, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon promised to set aside $7 million from the 2010/11 budget to build a GP Super Clinic in the area. Now she can’t say when that funding will be available.
She made her commitment to Mt Barker in July, but now six months later, she won’t commit to it being delivered.
This is just another example of Labor bungling the implementation of its GP Super Clinics.
Labor only managed to build four out of a promised 36 clinics in its first term of government. What Labor promises in an election is a far cry from what they deliver in reality.
The Minister can’t make an election commitment and use excuses after excuses to delay them. She needs to say today what her plans are for the area and when she will deliver them.
Just like Labor’s decision to house asylum seekers at Inverbrackie without telling anyone first, this is another example of Labor treating Adelaide hills residents with contempt.