Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Ministers statements: health infrastructure

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (14:04): I am pleased to be able to update the house on the progress of our government’s $8.35 billion pipeline of health, mental health and ambulance infrastructure projects. This is far and away the biggest program of investment our state has ever seen. It is creating jobs and making sure that we have got the capacity and the capability to treat patients close to home as soon as they need that care. There are two projects in particular: the Frankston Hospital stage 4 redevelopment—stage 4; that is to say, the latest investment in a long-term program of investment at the Frankston Hospital—and of course the brand new Melton hospital. You see, it is a combination of upgrades, refurbishments and expansions as well as brand new greenfield opportunities or entire replacement hospitals. That is the breadth of our investment program—certainly preferable to closing hospitals and certainly preferable to cutting services.

This is a massive investment program and in this instance the member for Frankston and the member for Melton can be rightly proud of their representations and their hard work on behalf of their communities. The redevelopment at Frankston, for instance, $562 million, is on track for completion in 2024—120 additional beds, two new operating theatres, dedicated spaces for mental health and oncology services, 1700 jobs during construction and many jobs beyond. There is Melton, with a $77.4 million investment that will allow land purchase, the delivery of the business case and the detailed planning. All of this speaks to a government that has consistently and in record terms invested in a better health system. There is a long way to go. We know that, and we are up for that challenge and that task, and you will see continued investment every chance that this Labor government gets.