The NSW and Victorian health ministers haven't contacted the federal government regarding increased funding for Albury hospital, despite repeated calls to do so. or signup to continue reading Indi MP Helen Haines, in a speech to Parliament on Monday, August 12, said the states had not done enough to improve health services for people on the border. Dr Haines had submitted a Freedom of Information request to Health Minister Mark Butler's office, seeking documents related to the redevelopment of Albury hospital and infrastructure at Albury Wodonga Health.
The response revealed there had been no letters from or "In making this request, I wasn't hoping for a gotcha moment for the minister, but to understand what representations the NSW and Victorian governments had been making on the only cross-border health service in the nation," Dr Haines said. "What these documents show is a lack of effort by the Victorian and NSW governments to get a better deal for people on the border." This revelation follows from the mayors of Albury, Wodonga, Federation and Indigo councils sent to , soliciting her help in arranging a meeting with Mr Butler.
The letter flags the possibility of a tripartite health funding agreement with the federal, NSW and Victorian governments. The Commonwealth has invested $20 million through its Regional Deal fund in the $558 million hospital budget. Comparatively, the Commonwealth invested $128 million into the $780 million Shellharbour Hospital.
"The case is clear - we need a new hospital on the border," Dr Haines said. "Whether it's on a green or brownfield site, we know the funding promised so far will not build a state-of-the-art, single-site hospital that meets our community's needs for years to come. "So it would make sense to me if the states were asking for the federal government to invest in this project - I certainly am.
" Dr Haines said there were many examples of federal governments investing in building new hospitals. "When I speak to this government, I am often told that hospitals are a state government responsibility, and the states would need to make the ask," she said. "I am dumbfounded that it appears there isn't any correspondence on this topic at all from the state ministers.
" The Victorian government told it did not provide comment on private correspondence. "We continue to advocate to the Commonwealth for a fair share of funding for health, including through ongoing negotiations around the National Health Reform Agreement," a spokesperson said. The NSW government also said it was advocating for more funding through the National Health Reform Agreement.
"The redeveloped Albury Base Hospital is the second largest investment (behind the recently built Tweed Valley Hospital) in a regional hospital in the history of NSW," Mr Park told The Freedom of Information response revealed two letters to the federal Health Minister from the Border Medical Association, letters from a member of the public, Albury Council and Dr Haines. Mr Butler did not respond to any of these letters. However, a spokesperson told Ms McBride responded to a letter addressed to herself and Mr Butler from Albury Council on April 10, 2024.
In that letter, it was noted states and territories were responsible for the planning and funding of public hospitals. Layton is a journalist at The Border Mail. He is interested in profiles, features, and hard news.
If you have a story please reach out to him at [email protected].
au Layton is a journalist at The Border Mail. He is interested in profiles, features, and hard news. If you have a story please reach out to him at layton.
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