Statements
The announcement of the managing contractor for the Royal Hobart Hospital is good news
Yes the delays have been bitterly disappointing but there is a real sense that the plans are now locked in place and the serious work of redeveloping the Hospital can finally begin.
In a way we have come full circle on this matter. I secured the critical $340m in federal funding for this redevelopment in the first weeks of the 43rd Parliament and here we are now in the last week of that Parliament and the final plans have been unveiled.
I’m aware there’s a long way to go with this project but I am confident that it will happen and will have a major positive impact on health outcomes in southern Tasmania.
I will continue to hold the State Government to account on this project. I’ve said before that I believe they lack the appropriate sense of urgency, so I’ll be sure to speak out against any further delays.
This project is simply too important to allow the timeline to slip any further. Hospital waiting lists are already out of control and Tasmanians can’t afford to wait any longer.
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Denison