State Government incompetence threatens to delay $290m for RHH

The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has called on the State Government to meet a deadline tomorrow to secure $290 million in federal funds for the Royal Hobart Hospital.

As part of Mr Wilkie’s agreement with the Federal Government delivering $340 million for the $565 million RHH redevelopment, the State Government is due to deliver a progress report to the Federal Government tomorrow.

The progress report on the first stage of the project, the $180 million Women and Children’s Hospital, must include a construction timetable and evidence that construction has started and will trigger a payment of $50 million.

Its delivery will also allow the Federal Government to confirm the outcome of the State’s application for $240 million for the RHH from the Health and Hospitals Fund.

“This is ridiculous,” Mr Wilkie said.

“This is the second deadline for this project and the second time the State Government is dragging its heels and putting at risk the crucial rebuilding of the RHH.

“Apparently I’m going to have to keep holding the State Government’s hand for the duration of this project if Tasmania is to get the rebuilt hospital it so badly needs.”

In December, Mr Wilkie had to pressure the State Government to meet the first funding deadline which was the crucial pre-condition for Canberra paying the first $50 million instalment for the Women and Children’s Hospital.

“Here we have the Federal Government holding out another cheque for $50 million and the State Government seemingly reluctant to take it.

“Moreover until the State Government shows it can competently manage the RHH rebuild the Federal Government is hardly going to confirm the $240 million contribution from the HHF.

“No wonder Denison was left out last week when Canberra announced HHF funding for hospitals in Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott’s electorates.’’

UPDATE: Response to State Government claims about the deadline for the progress report on the rebuilding of the RHH: “During a telephone conversation at approximately 12.30pm on Thursday, 10 March, the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, told me that the deadline for the State Government’s progress report was Friday, 18 March. “On a number of occasions this date has been referred to in conversations I have had with the Federal Health Minister’s chief of staff, including as recently as approximately 12.30pm today, 17 March. “I believe it is reasonable to assume that the Federal Government has been just as upfront about the deadline with the State Government as it has with me.’’