The Baillieu-Ryan Government has continued to let down the people of Swan Hill by not committing funds for the $35 million redevelopment of the Swan Hill Hospital and Aged Care facilities, Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad said today.
Under questioning in Question Time today, Minister for Health, David Davis conceded that there was no money in the Budget for these vital health projects in Swan Hill.
“Today in question time, I called on the Minister to reconsider his decision and commit funding for the redevelopment of the Swan Hill Hospital and Aged Care facilities, and he refused to give a commitment.” Ms Broad said.
“This is despite the Minister for Regional and Rural Development’s comments yesterday that the Coalition Government will improve services and facilities in country communities and address disadvantage. However, the spin has sadly not been followed up by action.
“The Baillieu-Ryan Government needs to allocate funding for the Swan Hill Hospital and Aged Care redevelopment now so that future bids by Swan Hill Hospital for funds from the National Health and Hospital Fund are not undermined.”
“This project is essential for the people of Swan Hill and needs the Baillieu-Ryan Government’s support,” she said.
“It is one thing to say you support country communities, but this needs to be followed up by action, and if you are not going to fund key infrastructure projects, like the redevelopment of the Swan Hill Hospital, then people feel let down.”
“I will continue to fight for the Swan Hill community to get the health services it needs from the Baillieu-Ryan Government,” Ms Broad said.