Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Melissa HORNE (Williamstown – Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (14:13): I rise today to update the house on the government’s record of investing in health for Victorians living in the west. Melbourne’s west is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, which is why we are investing more than ever before in health, from new hospitals to expanded emergency departments and a brand new community hospital. In February we opened the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital, one of the largest ever hospital infrastructure projects in the state. It delivered an increase of nearly 200 beds and a new emergency department with a mental health, alcohol and other drugs hub as well. Most recently we completed the massive expansion of the Werribee Mercy Hospital, which will double the capacity of the emergency department. We are getting on with delivering new hospitals in Melton and Point Cook. The member for Melton will be chuffed to know that we are coming up to our first anniversary of construction at the Melton hospital. Six tower cranes have been installed, and around 350 workers are there daily. Speaking of the pace of construction, it was great to get to the Point Cook community hospital earlier this year to celebrate the structural completion of that new hospital. We are now installing the facade and fitting out each floor with services.

On this side of the house we know that investing in our great public hospitals means vital access to life-saving care for working families. Let us compare that to the record of the opposition when they were last in government. They spent less on health infrastructure in the west than a council budget. The stakes of this election could not be higher for Victorians living in Melbourne’s west. One Nation will privatise hospitals, and the Liberals’ promise to cut $40 billion means frontline workers will be sacked. Under a Liberal–One Nation coalition, hospitals will be privatised and closed, healthcare workers will be sacked and programs will be scrapped.