Thousands to be short-changed on free parking after permit discrepancy pointed out by Opposition
Thousands of hospital workers without parking permits are likely to be covered for just a few days a month under the Government’s free parking scheme.
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Hospital staff working on the frontline of the COVID-19 battle have been guaranteed free parking at work.
But potentially thousands of other hospital workers will still be left out of pocket for parking, despite being told it would be free. The key promise, aimed at supporting thousands of frontline hospital workers, was announced by Premier Steven Marshall and Health Minister Stephen Wade over the weekend.
Mr Wade’s office confirmed yesterday there is a $110 monthly cap for some hospital staff, after the discrepancy was pointed out by Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton.
A government spokesman told The Advertiser all staff deemed essential to the COVID-19 response, across all disciplines, would be provided free carparking.
“This includes staff that would be ineligible normally or are on an existing waiting list (for a parking permit) due to capacity issues,” the spokesman said.
But Mr Picton, who urged the Government to provide free parking passes to all hospital staff, pointed out thousands of hospital workers could be left short-changed by the promise.
Staff with parking permits currently pay about $49.50 a month for parking, meaning the cap will cover their costs.
The $110 cap will also cover the cost of public transport travel for the month for those who opt to leave their car at home.
But for hospital staff without a permit the cap would not cover parking costs.
“For staff without a parking permit, this means the benefit only equates to about three to four days worth of free parking per month,” Mr Picton said.
Daily rates at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) are $29.
SA Health did not provide a breakdown, before deadline, of the number of hospital staff with a permit compared to those without. The Advertiser is again seeking the breakdown today.
However in June last year, The Advertiser reported only 3778 out of 6500 RAH staff had a permit, with 337 staff on the waiting list. Meantime, Adelaide City Council will investigate providing additional free parking for critical health workers during the pandemic.
Councillors on Tuesday backed Cr Mary Couros’s call to consider more free parking for health professionals working in the city and North Adelaide.
Last week, the council voted to allow RAH doctors and nurses to park their cars in a section of the western parklands for free.