Andrew Southcott (Boothby, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Healthcare) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, in writing, on 14 September 2011:

In respect of the GP Super Clinics Program and the funding agreements for such clinics, on how many occasions have organisations proposed variations (a) to the works, and for each occasion, (i) what was the reason provided by the organisation, and (ii) was consent in writing provided by the Commonwealth, and (b) which would have an effect on the (i) timeframes for completion of the works, and (ii) timeframe for the date of practical completion.

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(a) and (b)The timetable for achieving milestones in the GP Super Clinics Program Funding Agreements is heavily dependent on external factors beyond the control of the funding recipient including the availability of land/suitable premises for the clinic, local council planning and approval processes, availability of construction workforce and materials, and weather conditions. The size and complexity of the construction project can also impact on the anticipated project timeframe.

The Department monitors the Funding Agreements for each GP Super Clinic and negotiates variations to milestones in the Funding Agreement, if required, to reflect the impact of these external influences.