Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (21:39): (2407) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health. The action I seek is for the minister to consider appointing an administrator at Albury Wodonga Health. Last Thursday Safer Care Victoria released its abridged findings into its investigation into the nation’s only border health service, saying it speaks to cultural and behavioural challenges that have existed for some time. For those that have been following this saga, that is a staggering understatement. This health service is in turmoil. Staff confidence has collapsed, and I understand the chief medical officer has now resigned. The full Safer Care Victoria report remains under lock and key; no-one has seen it. Labor’s spin piece used to sell the report was tone-deaf. It is another cover-up. Just the night before, more than 100 clinicians had unanimously backed a vote of no confidence in the executive. In October there was a similar vote of no confidence. At that time there were some still loyal to management; last Wednesday night there were none.

Where has the minister been? Who is she listening to? The community do not want more reports, further surveys and vague promises of action in some bureaucratic mumbo jumbo. The Safer Care investigation is claimed to be independent, but Albury Wodonga Health’s executive was the overseer. It is the same executive that has presided over a health service where staff morale was rated the worst of any hospital in Victoria’s public health system, where the AMA has publicly raised concerns about transparency, governance, staff distress and trust in leadership, that the New South Wales health minister asked the Victorian government to investigate and where the chair refuses to meet medical staff without the CEO present. This is a complete mess. Safer Care says this executive will be integral to a steering committee overseeing their recommendations. This is not the way to restore trust. The toxic culture that has been recognised by both New South Wales and Victoria includes the executive and the board. They must stand aside from this committee.

Section 61 of the Health Services Act 1988 is crystal clear: when a hospital board loses the confidence of its staff and community, the act provides a remedy – appoint an administrator. They must stand aside if this process is to restore the faith of the 300,000 people who rely on Albury Wodonga Health and improve the wellbeing of more than 3000 staff. They deserve nothing less. Six weeks ago in this place I said this is how health systems fail: not suddenly, but through neglect, denial and refusal to act when there is still time. There is still time, but only the appointment of an administrator can restore the trust so that these changes will make a difference.