Labor vows to match Repat Hospital funding during tense Adelaide press conference

Labor leader Bill Shorten has promised to match funding pledged by the Coalition to revive the Repat Hospital, during a tense press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has promised to match funding pledged by the Coalition to revive the Repat Hospital, during a tense press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The Federal Government in February announced a $30 million cash injection would underpin a new brain and spinal unit at the Repat Hospital redevelopment.

Mr Shorten, who is in Adelaide selling his plan for free blood tests for elderly people and cancer patients, confirmed the Opposition would match the pledge if elected.

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said she was contacted overnight by a local who operates out of the Repat about how important it would be for elective surgery.

“We’ll match that commitment and we’ll have more to say about our capital plans across South Australia to improve public hospitals across this community,” Ms King said.

Labor leader Bill Shorten speaks to the media after a visit to the Proteomics Laboratory at Flinders University. Picture: AAP / Lukas Coch

She also hit back at claims state Health Minister Stephen Wade had not heard from Labor.

“I wrote to the Health Minister and he replied to me, and didn’t even mention Repat as one of the things he wanted to put capital into,” Ms King said.

It follows comments from state Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas this month that the former Labor Government’s controversial plan to sell the Repatriation Hospital at Daw Park was a “mistake”.

Mr Shorten’s press conference turned tense he clashed with a Channel 10 journalist who accused him of refusing to answer questions about Labor’s emissions reduction target.

“You have focused almost exclusively, since your Budget reply speech, on health. When can voters expect to learn more about Labor’s emissions reduction target, how you’re going to get there, and the cost to the economy?” Channel 10 journalist Jonathan Lea asked.

“Well first of all, I haven’t spoken exclusively about health,” Mr Shorten began.

“To be fair, some of your staffers said the same in private conversations, you’ve focused pretty exclusively on it,” Lea replied.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaks to the media in Adelaide on Tuesday. Picture: Kym Smith

“I don’t know what private conversations you have with people or what you want to reveal,” Mr Shorten shot back.

“I just said, four minutes ago, that Mr Morrison loves to boast about his strong economy. I’m pretty sure we were all here when I said that.”

He went on to claim Mr Morrison’s so-called strong economy was built on “low wages” and “the reduction in real spending on services”.

That answer did not satisfy the reporter.

“You’re not answering the question Mr Shorten,” Lea said repeatedly.

“Oh OK,” Mr Shorten said with a chuckle. “I’m going to give someone else a go.”

But Lea pressed on.

“When can people know, Mr Shorten, the cost to the economy?” he said. “You didn’t answer the question.”

“Do you know what, Jon? I’m going to go to the next person,” the Labor leader said.

“No, you should answer the question. That’s why we’re here, to ask questions. You’re not answering the question. Why can’t you answer the question Mr Shorten?” Lea said.

“Because I’m going to give your colleagues half a go,” Mr Shorten said, before finally managing to move on to the next questioner.