Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Health. Prior to the election, the government announced $8.4 million to expand the South Coast District Hospital at Victor Harbor and $8.6 million to upgrade the Mount Barker District Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. We desperately need to expand our hospitals. These funds won't be released, however, until 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively. In light of the government's commitment to fast-track infrastructure, will the minister agree to release the funds in this parliamentary term? If not, why not?

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Mayo for her question. The government is committed to both projects—$8.4 million and $8.6 million, respectively, as the member raised. In particular the Mount Barker project, which I attended with South Australian minister Stephen Wade, is being determined on the basis of the time frames for current activities that are being undertaken which would then allow our work to commence. Both of these projects were determined in discussion with the South Australian government. If they seek at any stage to bring those forward, that's a matter that we would consider. I have visited Mount Barker and I have seen the work that is being proposed elsewhere. What we are doing is providing resources onsite in South Australia for state-based projects through federal funding. That federal funding will allow, in Mount Barker and across the electorate of Mayo, activities to occur that previously would never have been able to occur. In particular the emergency department in Mount Barker will have better capacity, will be better for staff and will be better for patients.

Both projects are on track and on time, as announced. The first of those will commence in just over six months, in terms of the ability for federal funds to arrive. Prior to that, of course, there has to be planning. That planning is being undertaken by the state government. I state for the member very clearly: in just over six months the first payments are scheduled to arrive—in 2020-21. That is ready. We're in a position to do that because we have a strong budget. I am not aware that either the hospital or the South Australian government are in a position to commence construction prior to that period of just over six months. If the member is aware that the plans have been completed, that construction is ready and that contractors have been engaged, I would be happy to receive that information.