Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Lauren KATHAGE (Yan Yean) (13:18): We know that the Northern Hospital is full of fantastic staff, and soon they are going to have upgraded facilities to match their skill. We have reached structural completion on the new ambulatory centre, on the Costco side of the hospital. Soon they will have the facade works. They have been working on the fit-out. Of course that is paving the way for our brand new emergency department at the Northern. This is part of a nearly $1 billion investment in the Austin and the Northern hospitals, meaning that the communities of the north will have fantastic health care closer to home and the better experience of emergency departments that we are all looking for. There will be special areas, especially for paediatrics and for children, and there will be special separate areas as well for people who need help with their mental health or with alcohol or other drug issues. This means that, on top of having over 200 treatment spaces, they will cater for people in their hour of need. I am so proud that this government is not only delivering for the communities of the north but that the fantastic workers there – the staff and medical staff – will have the facilities, to enact their profession, that they truly deserve.