Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten makes $154m Joondalup Health Campus election commitment

IT appears Joondalup Health Campus is again set to benefit from the grasp for political votes in Perth’s north, this time at the federal level.

Last year’s State Election led to big funding commitments for the campus from both major parties as they contested uncertain seats.

Now the battle in the north has gone national.

Labor threw the first pitch on Monday with opposition leader Bill Shorten declaring the party would contribute $154 million for a 75-bed mental health unit if elected.

“We know that Joondalup Health Campus desperately needs new investment to keep pace with substantial growth in the area,” he said.

Premier Mark McGowan and a cohort of Labor representatives appeared at the announcement in support of Mr Shorten.

This included former Joondalup MLA Tony O’Gorman, who is hoping to return to politics when he challenges Liberal member Ian Goodenough for the Division of Moore.

Mr McGowan emphasised potential Federal funding would “build on” rather than replace the State’s $167 million commitment to the campus.

The Federal Government is yet to counter, but a spokeswoman for Mr Goodenough said the Moore MHR was confident there would be a funding announcement for the campus in the upcoming Federal Budget.

Mr Goodenough, who is a member of the hospital’s Community Board of Advice, pushed for $140 million of funding to Joondalup when speaking in parliament early last month.

The spokeswoman said he had made a “budget submission directly to the Prime Minister’s office for the expansion”.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt toured the campus last year.