Less than a month before the Victorian state election, the liberal opposition made another massive funding announcement, this time pledging $ 800 million in new and refurbished hospitals in Melbourne’s suburbs.
On Wednesday, one day after the November 26 election papers were issued, the state opposition led by Matthew Guy pledged $ 500 million for a new campus at Casey Hospital in the southeast of the city and $ 300 million for a new hospital in Upper Plenty, Melbourne. north.
The announcements continue the intense funding battle centered on Victoria’s unstable public health system, which is shaping up to be the central issue ahead of the elections.
Liberals said the new pledges, which include a total of 250 new beds, 1,500 parking spaces and new emergency assistance centers, would be funded by abandoning the Labor government’s $ 35 billion rail link from Cheltenham to Box Hill.
“As a Premier, my # 1 priority is solving the health crisis,” Guy said Wednesday.
“This November, the Victorians have a choice. Real solutions to solve the health crisis or a railway line from Cheltenham to Box Hill in 13 years ”.
The Liberal Party said the plan will reduce pressure on nearby Northern Hospital, where leaked minutes from a recent board meeting revealed senior nurses have warned of patients’ deaths due to chronic staff shortages.
Wednesday’s announcement comes after a myriad of previous health commitments, including $ 550 million to redevelop Caulfield Hospital, a new hospital in Melton, $ 600 million for a new hospital in Wantirna, $ 900 million for a new hospital. children’s hospital and a new hospital for women and children in geelong
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews pledged in October to build the largest hospital project in Australian history, $ 6 billion for the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital, as well as a new Arden medical district.
On Tuesday, the Labor Party kicked off the campaign with a personal attack on Mr. Guy and the Liberal Party, in a heavily edited video mocking Guy and former Liberal Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison.
The opposition, for its part, responded with the “Fossa Danmobile”, a mock ambulance with “Ditch Dan” plastered to the panels.
Originally published as the Victorian Liberals, they promise an additional $ 800 million in hospital upgrades
