Government optimistic about progress on Geraldton Health Campus but Opposition say they are still unconvinced

The State Government has declared it is on track to get construction started on the second stage of upgrades to Geraldton Health Campus next year, but the Opposition has said it will be believe it when it sees it, after two years of delays. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced to Parliament that progress was continuing on the redevelopment, as the project officially went open to tender on Wednesday. The minister boasted of the significant improvements which are planned to arrive with the $122.7 million project, including an integrated mental health service. “We know the Mid West currently doesn’t have any in-patient mental health facilities so this is going to be a really significant development,” she said. She said the Government was still committed to its goals, despite the impact of the pandemic which it has said was the reason for Geraldton Health Campus’ delayed upgrades. “There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the building and construction industry but this Government is absolutely committed to doing everything we can to continually deliver important health upgrades across our State,” she said. Shadow regional health minister Martin Aldridge said he still had his doubts about the project’s progress, and that the Government should not be praising itself after the delays. “The State Government and the Member for Geraldton should not be claiming any credit for delivering this project until a contract is finally signed and a timeline for completion is known,” he said. “This is the second time the Government has taken this important project to tender, after failing to budget appropriately in the first instance, resulting in a two-year delay to this critical health project. “It’s long past time Labor got on with the redevelopment of the Geraldton Health Campus. A new car park and front entrance are nothing to crow about after six years of empty promises.” Finance Minister Tony Buti reiterated the Government’s commitment to the project as part of its larger commitment to healthcare. “Since coming to government we have started from scratch to plan, procure and build this new project. We’ve got on with the job and delivered the first stage,” he said. “Like many projects here and across the world, global supply chain issues and labour shortages have had an impact on timeframes.” The minister also hit back at Mr Aldridge and the Opposition over their record in government. “Mr Aldridge was part of the Liberal-National Party that had 8½ years to plan and build this but they did nothing,” he said. “He has kicked fewer goals for Geraldton than Qatar has kicked in the FIFA World Cup.”