Jillian Skinner MP Member for North Shore Deputy Liberal Leader Shadow Minister for Health Shadow Minister for Science & Medical Research Shadow Minister for the Arts

Friday 28 March 2008

ANOTHER HEALTH COST BLOWOUT: BLAYNEY MPS FUTURE AT RISK

Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner and The Nationals MLC for Bathurst Rick Colless today expressed concern over the future of the Blayney MPS following revelations of a 160% blowout in its cost.

There are reports the cost of the Blaney MPS has blown out from $270,000 to at least $700,000.

“Health Minister Reba Meagher must immediately assure the people of Blayney and the Central West the essential upgrade of the Blayney MPS will proceed,” Mrs Skinner said.

“I fear the Iemma Government may use the blowout as an excuse to scrap the project altogether,” she said.

“It’s also extremely concerning that the Iemma Government could get the cost of the upgrade so wrong.

“It shouldn’t be surprising given the Iemma Government’s poor record on infrastructure management.

“Labor has botched the redevelopments of Tullamore and Tottenham MPS facilities.

“And of course, given the infrastructure debacles at both Bathurst Hospital and Fire Station, the Blayney community will have no confidence that if the project is ever delivered that it will be up to scratch,” Mrs Skinner said.

Mr Colless said this is a major embarrassment for local MP Gerard Martin who clearly hasn’t been effective in making the case to Reba Meagher.

“If Gerard Martin was fair dinkum about achieving this upgrade for the people of Blayney, he would be banging on the door for Morris Iemma and Reba Meagher,” Mr Colless said.

“Labor takes the people of the Bathurst electorate for granted,” Mr Colless said.