Friday, March 20, 2015
NSW Labor would spend $323 million redeveloping Concord Hospital to provide "world's best cancer treatment" if elected, rejecting suggestions the move is aimed at bolstering support in key inner west seats.
At Concord Hospital on Wednesday, Opposition leader Luke Foley said rapid urban development in suburbs such as Rhodes, Wentworth Point and Canada Bay was putting massive demand on the facility.
Concord Hospital is in the seat of Drummoyne, which Liberal MP John Sidoti nabbed from Labor at the last election. He holds a 17.1 per cent margin.
It is next to the seat of Strathfield, where Labor hopes its planning spokeswoman Jodi McKay, a minister in the former Labor government, can defeat Liberal incumbent Charles Casuscelli.
Mr Foley, an upper house MP, is running in the lower house seat of Auburn – a 15-minute drive away from Concord Hospital.
The hospital redevelopment would include a cancer care centre; a new precinct for aged, chronic care and rehabilitation; and an expanded emergency department.
If elected, Labor would also build new operating theatres and wards and improve allied health and dental services.
Mr Foley said unlike the government, which plans to fund some hospital investment through electricity privatisation, Labor would complete the work while keeping the assets in public hands.
"The community does not want electricity privatisation and the NSW Liberals and Nationals are linking the sale to health [spending]. That is blackmail," he said.
He denied Labor was making health spending promises to snare votes in seats it deems winnable.
"I've been clear - the reason for this [commitment] is the fast growing population in this region," he said.
"That is a sound basis for Labor reserving the necessary funds."
theherald.com.au
