Thursday, 4 May 2023

Maroondah Hospital

Nicholas McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:44): In November 2018 Daniel Andrews promised to build a new emergency department at the Maroondah Hospital at the cost of $62.4 million. This upgrade never eventuated. Four years later – no surprise – Daniel Andrews again promised to build a new emergency department at Maroondah Hospital. In September 2022 the Labor Party, unsurprisingly, announced an election commitment of between $850 million and $1.05 billion, which was the first time in my living memory the Labor Party allowed for budget blowout in an election commitment – ironic and somewhat comical. It shows they have a sense of humour, if not an ability to manage projects. This funding will allow for, they say and claim, 200 new inpatient beds, a dedicated children’s emergency department, new operating theatres, a day procedure unit and a mental health hub.

It is interesting to note that as part of that announcement the children’s emergency department was included in their 2022 election commitment when in fact it had already been committed to by the government in the 2021–22 budget – more skulduggery indeed. $102.4 million was allocated to build dedicated children’s emergency departments at our state’s busiest hospitals, and Maroondah Hospital was one of them. The Croydon, Ringwood and Warrandyte electorates alone have over 20,000 children under the age of 15 years who would greatly benefit from a children’s emergency department at Maroondah Hospital. This kind of dedicated department would create a calmer, more comfortable environment for children and their families. The minister must ensure that a new emergency department at the Maroondah Hospital, including a dedicated children’s emergency department, is built and does not turn into another undelivered health commitment of the Andrews Labor government.