Thursday, 2 November 2023

Responses

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (17:29): I welcome the opportunity to provide some factual information for the member for Glen Waverley in relation to the incident at Maroondah Hospital today. Eastern Health have now provided an update on their website in relation to a burst pipe that occurred today at the hospital. As one would expect, the safety of patients and staff was the number one priority for the health service, and I can confirm that eight patients have been safely relocated to other wards of the hospital. I can also advise the member and indeed the house that Ambulance Victoria is working with other Eastern Health campuses such as Box Hill to divert emergency patients. Of course work is already underway, with engineers on site, and rectification works are underway.

It is important that we take this opportunity to clear up this wilful misinformation, but I am afraid to say that it does not surprise me, because the member for Lowan has demonstrated on other occasions that she is all about the politics and never about the patients. If I could take the opportunity also –

Richard Riordan interjected.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: I will take up the interjection. I can confirm that no people were injured. The advice that I have received from Eastern Health is that no patients or staff were injured and that patients have been safely relocated.

Members interjecting.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: I will also take the opportunity to advise the member for Glen Waverley that our government is investing in Maroondah Hospital. As you know, we are redeveloping the hospital, developing a new clinical services tower so that we can continue to deliver for the people of Melbourne’s east. I note that the member for Ashwood was also very interested in the work that we are delivering at the Maroondah Hospital. I can advise also that since being elected our government has invested more than $6 million –

Richard Riordan interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Polwarth, your interjections are disrespectful.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: Our government have invested more than $6 million in maintenance at Maroondah Hospital, and indeed, as I said, we are getting on with delivering a new emergency department, operating theatres, day procedure facilities and specialist care spaces. So again, one can be in no doubt that when it comes to delivering for the people of Melbourne’s east, only the Allan Labor government can be trusted to do that.

In terms of the other questions that have been raised, the member for Berwick raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Planning, and the action he seeks is that the Department of Transport and Planning meet with one of his constituents regarding a precinct structure plan in his electorate. The member for Ashwood has a matter for the attention of the Minister for Children. The action that he seeks is that the minister join him to visit early childhood learning centres in his electorate. The member for Gippsland South has raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action he seeks is that the minister find some funding to repair the South Gippsland Highway.

The member for Cranbourne raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Racing, and I must say I think it is one that the Minister for Racing will take up with some gusto, and that is that the Minister for Racing join her at the Cranbourne Cup. The member for Polwarth raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action that he seeks is that the minister come to his electorate to discuss roadside maintenance. The member for Pascoe Vale raised a matter for the Minister for Education, and the action that he seeks is that the minister join him on a visit to Coburg Primary School. The member for Kew raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education, and the action that she seeks is that the department release a study by La Trobe Uni into evidence-based education.

The member for Narre Warren South raised a matter for the Minister for Planning. The action that he seeks is that the minister provide him with information on how the Allan Labor government’s housing statement will benefit his constituents. The member for Narracan raised a matter for the attention of the Minister for Housing, and the action he seeks is information on how the government will deliver more homes in Victoria and indeed in his own community. I have responded to the member for Glen Waverley. I will refer those matters to the appropriate ministers.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister. Thank you, members. Thank you, clerks. The house now stands adjourned.

House adjourned 5:35 pm.