Royal Perth Hospital—Emergency department
142. Mr Basil Zempilasto theMinister for Health Infrastructure:
I refer to WA Labor's election commitment to redevelop Royal Perth Hospital's emergency department.
(1) How is it that the government's racetrack at Burswood has had funding announced in this year's budget and a tender released, yet there has been no progress on the much-needed works to Royal Perth?
(2) Is funding allocated in this year's budget for these works?
(3) When will the upgraded emergency department be operational?
Mr John Carey replied:
(1)–(3) I thank the member for his question. We have a big, bold health infrastructure program, spending more than $4 billion to deliver major upgrades across Western Australia. For example in the regions, in Geraldton, a Labor government will deliver a major new redevelopment; in Bunbury, we are seeing a major redevelopment at Bunbury Regional Hospital and, at the last election we made a very clear commitment for a major new emergency department. Of course, the Leader of the Opposition has asked about the budget, as always, and as we have heard from other ministers' responses, those details will be revealed in the budget.
143. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Minister for Health Infrastructure:
I have a supplementary question. How is it that the Treasurer can announce funding in this year's budget for the racetrack yet the minister cannot for these vital works at Royal Perth Hospital?
Mr John Carey replied:
Can I just remind people of the hypocrisy of the Liberals on Royal Perth Hospital? I mean, respectfully—the gall of the leader of the Liberals to give us a lecture on the Royal Perth Hospital!
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Mr John Carey: He gets very agitated.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members.
Mr John Carey: I mean, this is the most telling thing about question—
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members.
Ms Rita Saffioti interjected.
The Speaker: Treasurer! Carry on, minister.
Mr John Carey: First of all, I make the observation that we have never seen a Liberal Leader of the Opposition who just gets so agitated all the time, even when he is asking his own questions. I will remind the Liberals of their own history on the Royal Perth Hospital. Remember this?
Ms Sandra Brewer: You've had eight years.
Mr John Carey: Can I answer the question, member for Cottesloe? Would you like to answer it? Clearly, you know everything.
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members, minister, Leader of the Opposition and member for Cottesloe!
Mr John Carey: I think we all remember this: in 2008, they committed to a major redevelopment of Royal Perth Hospital. I forgot about this—it included a new emergency department and trauma centre. After winning the election in 2008, they failed to deliver it. In 2013, they recommitted to the project and in 2016, what did they do? They shelved the project. The leader of the Liberals—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have asked a question and the minister is responding. You may not like what he is saying, but he has the opportunity to respond.
Mr John Carey: Never have we seen a politician with a glass jaw like the leader of the Liberals. Never!
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr John Carey: I have to say this: leader of the Liberals, you have an incredible talent to convert any debate or discussion into a monologue about yourself. I mean, if I ever feel like I have low self-esteem, I will go to the leader of the Liberals.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, stop interjecting. Minister, I would like to remind you that this is a supplementary question, so it would be great to wrap the answer up.
Mr John Carey: We took to the election a very clear commitment to deliver a major redevelopment with a new emergency department. At the last election, the opposition took an AI-generated image that was clearly done by some junior adviser and made a commitment to do nothing in this term of government. Let us be very clear—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Member!
Mr John Carey: Let us be very clear: there is only one side of politics that is committed to delivering a major redevelopment of the ED at Royal Perth Hospital.
