Health services
Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health. Following on from the report in the Age newspaper on 5 May about failed election promises, I ask the minister why none of the 10 community hospitals which were promised by the Andrews government prior to the 2018 election campaign have ever been built or upgraded, despite the Victorian government unveiling billions of dollars in new health spending.
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:07): I thank Mr Hayes for his question. I will be more than happy to get an answer directly from the Minister for Health.
Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): The latest figures for elective surgery waitlists in Victorian hospitals reveal more than 89 000 Victorians are currently on the waitlist. I understand there have been additional resources allocated to address this issue in the budget, but I am wondering why the minister has not released an elective surgery road map with estimated time frames indicating how long it will take for Victorian hospitals to clear or reduce the numbers that are on that list.
The PRESIDENT: I do not know if that is related to the question. Mr Hayes, it is not related at all, but I will give you an opportunity to rephrase it if you want to, or I will rule it out.
Mr HAYES: Can the government release time frames indicating how long Victorian hospitals will take to clear or reduce the numbers that are on the waitlist?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:08): I will pass it on.