Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (13:14): (2438) My question is to the Minister for Health. In November 2025 the Commonwealth minister for health confirmed that $14.5 million had been committed under the community health and hospitals program towards a mental health rehabilitation unit and expanded consulting clinical suites at Wodonga Hospital. The federation funding agreement, signed by the then Victorian health minister, shows that the Commonwealth funding has already been fully expended as part of the 2020–25 funding schedule. The agreement also required Victoria to provide regular progress reports on the project. However, local health advocates advise that no mental health rehabilitation unit has been delivered. At the same time, community consultation has commenced on redeveloping a mental health facility in Beechworth, which was news to the Indigo Shire Council. Can the minister explain what happened to the $14.5 million in Commonwealth funding allocated for the mental health rehabilitation unit at Wodonga Hospital, confirm whether that project has been abandoned and advise what mental health infrastructure will now be delivered in its place and when?