Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (14:57): (1351) Maroondah Hospital is the closest major public hospital for people who live in my community of the Evelyn electorate. It is why it is vital that this hospital is upgraded to ensure that it is fit for purpose to provide the health care that my community needs and deserves and has been promised by this government but not yet delivered. Patients, families and frontline health workers are feeling the strain every day, and the need for an upgrade is becoming increasingly critical. My question is to the Minister for Health Infrastructure. When will capital funding be allocated for works to commence the rebuild and expansion of Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood as promised? Because at this stage it is just another one of Labor’s broken promises. As we know, this Labor government promised to upgrade the Maroondah Hospital at two elections. They promised a new emergency department at the 2018 election, then a full redevelopment and expansion of the hospital at the 2022 election, and they have so far failed to deliver or build any upgrades. It is no longer acceptable for the government to hide behind the never-ending planning phase. Our community needs certainty and a timeline of when the government will rebuild Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood.