THE State Government has denied it will break its election promise of funds towards a Joondalup Health Campus upgrade now that the Federal Government has contributed more than $150 million to the project.
WA Labor pledged $167 million to a redevelopment at the hospital in the lead up to the 2017 poll.
It also signed a statement of intent to honour its commitment after it won the election.
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READ NOWThere has so far been no State contribution towards the proposed upgrades in either of the Government’s two budgets.
There was funding directed to the hospital in this year’s State Budget, but it came as part of the Federal Government’s $158 million contribution, announced in April.
Health Minister Roger Cook said the State contribution would be determined once a business case had been developed.
The Federal funding would be split into $4.6 million for planning and $153.4 million for construction.
The cost of the upgrades is tipped to far exceed the Federal contribution and it is understood the State Government intends to make up the difference.
Opposition leader Mike Nahan said Premier Mark McGowan “needs to deliver on his promise”.
“They committed State funding to Joondalup Health Campus… and despite handing down two budgets now, the Government has committed not one cent,” he said.
“I am pleased the Federal Government has come to the party with funding, but that is no excuse for Mark McGowan to go back on his word.”
The State Government promised to add up to 90 public beds, 30 mental health beds and eight operating theatres.
It also pledged to include a six-bed stroke unit, an urgent care clinic and a Medihotel.
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