$20m allocated for early works of Bundaberg hospital

Celebrations over Bundaberg’s new hospital and repaired dam should be put on hold, Bundaberg’s LNP MPs say, with this year’s budget outlining costs for early works and not the entire projects.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett have slammed the State Government for “regurgitated funding” on projects already underway, and only outlining “early works” for this year’s 2022-23 budget period.

Mr Bennett flagged the state budget as “concerning” after only finding allowances dedicated to planning and early works for two of the region’s most anticipated projects in the state budget.

Mr Bennett said the State announced something different to what’s really on the budget papers.

“The State Budget has once again been handed down and while I do welcome some commitments, overall, it’s extremely concerning,” Mr Bennett said.

Stephen Bennett said the new hospital is still seven years away, after only $20m was allocated for an “early works package” in this year’s allocated budget.

“For seven years the Palaszczuk Government has destroyed the health system, now they’re asking for another seven years to fix it.”

Mr Bennett said the $1.2bn hospital announcement did not align with what was in the budget papers.

“In truth, there’s only $20m for ‘early works’ in this budget,” Mr Bennett said.

“The lack of investment in a hospital we were promised during an election two years ago, clearly indicates we’re on a ‘go-slow’ construction plan; the evidence is in the money.

“Our chance of getting a new hospital any time soon has been dashed, let alone the Level 5 hospital we were promised.

“As feared, the new hospital is still at least six years away.

Mr Bennett has similar concerns about Paradise Dam, another $1.2bn project for which $600m was announced by the Premier in February.

He says the numbers don’t add up for that project, either.

“We were promised $600M, instead there is only $30.1M for planning and early works,” Mr Bennett said.

“We cannot afford to see a ‘go-slow’, 10-year construction period for Paradise Dam.

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett at Paradise Dam. Mr Bennett and Mr Pitt said only $30.1m for early works at Paradise Dam has been allocated in this year’s budget, which could take ten years to complete.

Mr Bennett also called out the state government for taxing large businesses at a higher rate of 0.25 per cent in order to pay for mental health services.

“Unfortunately we now know our small businesses will pay,” he said.

Federal Member Keith Pitt said the State Government has regurgitated funding announcements for road projects such as the $103 million upgrade on the Bruce Highway at Saltwater Creek, which is already underway.

“The Treasurer promised 26 times there would be no new or increased taxes.

“Today he has broken that promise and his integrity lies in tatters with three new taxes attacking businesses.”

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt shared Mr Bennett’s concerns about “regurgitated” projects and new taxes.

Mr Pitt said although the State Budget finally had a financial commitment to the new Bundaberg Hospital, it failed to address rising costs of living and slugged new taxes on the business sector.

“The State Government has wasted no time in bringing in a new tiered system for coal royalty rates, despite the Treasurer promising no new or increased taxes during the 2020 election,” he said.

“Businesses with a payroll of more than $10m will pay a mental health levy and at the same time, the Palaszczuk Government will rake in almost $1bn in dividends from the state-owned electricity generators, which you may as well call an electricity tax.

“Just last week there were concerns about blackouts and electricity costs are on the rise, yet the State Government is happy to take the dividends instead of making power more affordable.

Concept designs for Bundaberg’s level 5 hospital were released in February 2021.

“Initiatives at the Port of Bundaberg listed includes the multi-use conveyor which has been funded 100 percent by the Federal Government, the State has not contributed to it at all.

“Only $30.1 million has been allocated in the coming financial year for early works to restore Paradise Dam, so just how long will it take to bring the dam back to its full capacity?

The LNP’s words come after the State Government said they would commit more than $1bn to Bundaberg’s new hospital and $600m for Paradise Dam in Tuesday’s state budget announcement.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the investment was part of a $9.78bn statewide health infrastructure record health budget which includes $1.2bn for Bundaberg’s Level 5 hospital and is expected to deliver around 121 new beds.

It comes after a State Government announcement in 2020 that a brand new Level 5 hospital for Bundaberg would be built on a 60ha site on Bundaberg Ring Road near Kay McDuff Drive at Thabeban.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, WBHHS board chair Peta Jamieson and chief executive Deborah Carroll at the site for the new Bundaberg Hospital on July 29, 2020.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith celebrated the win in a statement on Tuesday.

“In 2020, I stood shoulder to shoulder with the Premier and we said a Palaszczuk Government would deliver a new hospital for Bundaberg,” Mr Smith said.

“That’s exactly what this $1.2bn enables us to deliver.”

A $9.78 billion statewide health infrastructure record health budget includes $1.2 billion for Bundaberg’s level 5 hospital.

Minister for Health, Yvette D’Ath said the government was also committing an additional $1.64 billion over five years to improve mental health and wellbeing and combat substance abuse.

“It’s an opportunity to dedicate resources and funding to support initiatives under a new five-year plan for mental health, alcohol, and other drug services, Better Care Together,” Minister D’Ath said.