Gympie MP accuses Qld Labor Government of ‘pork barrelling’ hospitals

The Qld Labor government’s plans to roll out multimillion-dollar satellite hospitals in marginal seats has been blasted by one MP, who says the promises leave his own region languishing.

The ALP state government (Health MP Shannon Fentiman inset right) is being accused by Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett (inset left) of “pork barreling” ahead of the October election with its promise of a satellite hospital at the Sunshine Coast despite claims of a lack of services only 70km north.

The Labor state government is being accused of “pork barrelling” ahead of the October election with its promise of a satellite hospital at the Sunshine Coast despite claims of a lack of services only 70km north.

Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett said the government’s announcement on Monday was a “slap in the face” to residents of his electorate who were in urgent need of upgrades to the region’s health services.

Mr Perrett said the promise for the new service for the Sunshine Coast, which includes Gympie within its wider health district, was made worse by the lack of any details as to where it would be built.

“The Government is spending $78.3 million of health department funds to pork barrel a marginal Labor electorate when they know there is already a desperate need to upgrade health services in this region,” Mr Perrett said in a media release Tuesday.

The Sunshine Coast includes two of the Labor government’s most marginal seats.

The ALP state government (Health MP Shannon Fentiman inset right) is being accused by Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett (inset left) of “pork barrelling” ahead of the October election with its promise of a satellite hospital at the Sunshine Coast despite claims of a lack of services only 70km north.

Nicklin, which includes Nambour, is the second most marginal seat for Labor and held by 0.1 per cent.

Robert Skelton won it for Labor in 2020 by 84 votes.

Caloundra is the fourth most marginal, held by the ALP with a 2.5 per cent margin.

The government’s promise of a satellite hospital service at the Sunshine Coast followed a similar announcement at the Fraser Coast at the start of September.

It was not declared whether it would be built at Hervey Bay or Maryborough.

Hervey Bay is the third most marginal seat for the party, held by Adrian Tantari with a 2 per cent margin.

Gympie is considered a safe LNP seat thanks to an 8.5 per cent margin.

Mr Perrett said the Labor’s announcement meant they would be putting a new satellite hospital service at the Sunshine Coast meant it would be putting the service in an area which already had an upgraded hospital.

Labor Health Minister Shannon Fentiman fired back at Mr Perrett’s comments, saying he “needs to come clean about whether he supports our government’s commitment for a free satellite hospital and free walk-in nurse led clinic for the people of Gympie”.

She said the region was receiving the clinic “to make it easier for local (Gympie) families to access the care they need, closer to home”.

“The LNP have never supported these clinics, just like they have never supported our nation-leading Satellite Hospitals program,” Mrs Fentiman said.

“Our initiatives mean that local families can get the care they need free of charge, without having to wait weeks for a GP appointment.

“We’re also progressing the Gympie Hospital business case and continue to invest in boosting services for the local region.”

Mr Perrett said the region’s calls for upgrades to health services had been a decade-long battle.

“We have had to drag them to do anything here,” Mr Perrett said.

“The announcement is cynical and shameless.”

“They won’t even name the suburb where they will put it, but they do know they are spending it in a Labor electorate, which already has an upgraded hospital.”