Thursday, 9 February 2023

Ministers statements: Footscray Hospital

Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (14:06): This morning I was delighted to visit the site of the new Footscray Hospital, currently the largest health infrastructure project in the state’s history at $1.5 billion. That will of course be superseded in size when the government proceeds with other commitments that we have made, and important projects –

A member interjected.

Daniel ANDREWS: Well, no, the West Gippsland Hospital will not quite be $1.5 billion, but it will be delivered, no thanks to the muttering one over here. If you want a briefing on how to build a hospital, I will get one organised for you. Have you ever been to a hospital opening? I doubt it. Sold a few, though, didn’t you?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Leader of the Opposition to cease interjecting across the table, again.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, can I refer you to standing order 108. The Premier makes a constant pattern of talking about members in titles other than those which they should be referred to. It is disrespectful and it is rude.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I am very pleased that the Manager of Opposition Business has familiarised himself so well with the standing orders, and I would encourage all members to do so. I also would encourage all members to refer to other members by their correct titles.

Daniel ANDREWS: My deepest apologies to the honourable member, my dear honourable friend, the member for Brighton. I am sorry to have offended his delicate sensibilities on these matters.

At the end of the day, we were out at Footscray Hospital this morning. It is a fantastic example of a partnership between unions, workers, builders and a government that has got a clear agenda to make sure that we provide the very best thankyou to our nurses, doctors and ambos and all our team for all the work that they do, most particularly in these most recent years – very difficult and challenging years for our health system. That is, by giving them the facilities and the infrastructure that they are entitled to, and of course making sure that we create jobs and embed skills along the way and set up a catchment of almost 1 million people with the world-class hospitals that they are entitled to –15,000 additional admissions a year and 20,000 additional emergency department presentations, 200 new beds, a partnership for teaching, training, research and care with Victoria University and so many others. I was very pleased to be joined by the chancellor of Victoria University, Steve Bracks, at this announcement as well, someone who knows and supports the west, just as every member of this government does.