Thursday, 20 June 2024

Ministers statements: health infrastructure

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:08): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s $15 billion infrastructure pipeline, ensuring more Victorians get world-class care closer to home. I want to thank the members of this place who have advocated tirelessly for the health needs of their communities. Our government has backed in this advocacy with funding in this year’s budget, delivering on our election commitments. In the member for Thomastown’s electorate we are investing $812 million to deliver a new ED and inpatient tower at the Northern Hospital. In the member for Oakleigh’s electorate we are delivering $535 million to build new operating theatres and more maternity beds at Monash Medical Centre. In the member for Ivanhoe’s electorate we are providing $275 million to expand the existing ED at the Austin Hospital.

Of course work is underway right across our state. I was thrilled to join the members for Monbulk and Bayswater just last week to turn the sod on stage 2 of the Angliss Hospital development. In the member for Wendouree’s electorate we are investing $655 million to deliver a major expansion of the Ballarat Base Hospital, and while unfortunately she is not here today you only have to ask the member for Footscray about the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital and you will be there for hours and hours and hours as she sings the praises of how that health service is going to deliver for all of Melbourne’s western suburbs. I know, Speaker, that both you and the Premier are very much looking forward to opening the state-of-the-art $65.3 million Bendigo Health clinical services campus very soon. Only an Allan Labor government is investing and will continue to invest in the health infrastructure that Victorians need right across our state.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Bentleigh can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Bentleigh withdrew from chamber.