Coogee MP claims Labor ‘delivered’ a new hospital that opened before election

A Labor frontbencher has used taxpayers’ money to falsely take credit for delivering a hospital building that opened weeks before the election.

A flyer handed out by Coogee MP Marjorie O'Neill paid for with parliamentary printing entitlements. Source: supplied

A Labor frontbencher has used taxpayers’ money to falsely take credit for delivering a hospital building that opened weeks before the election.

In a flyer delivered to Coogee residents, local MP and Parliamentary Secretary Marjorie O’Neill informed voters that the Prince of Wales Acute Services Building has officially opened.

“The new facility delivered by the NSW Labor Government is the first major upgrade to the hospital in 25 years,” the flyer said.

But while the building was officially opened by Ms O’Neill, Health Minister Ryan Park, and bureaucrats on June 15, patients actually began getting treatment there months ago.

The first patient to be treated at the brand new building arrived at 8.30am on March 7, according to a government media release.

Former Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the $720 million Prince of Wales Randwick Campus Redevelopment five years ago, in 2018.

NSW Labor member for Coogee Marjorie O'Neill has been caught out. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“This amazing new complex will house more theatres, more beds, a new intensive care unit, a new helipad, a bigger emergency department and psychiatric emergency care and plenty more,” Mr Hazzard said at the time.

Liberal Health spokesman Matt Kean accused Ms O’Neill of using public money to tell lies to her electorate.

“Not only has Marjorie O’Neill misled the voters of Coogee, she has charged taxpayers for the privilege,” he said.

“Is this the kind of dishonesty we can expect from Chris Minns and his team?”

When contacted, Ms O’Neill said she has advocated for more health facilities in Coogee since she was elected.

The Coogee MP did not explain why she falsely claimed Labor had “delivered” the hospital.

Labor's Marjorie O'Neill. Picture: John Appleyard

“I was proud to be a part of the opening, having campaigned for more services,” she said.

“This is only the beginning. The Minns Labor Government is committed to significant further investment in our front line services,” she said.

The hospital snafu is not the first time Ms O’Neill has been caught celebrating infrastructure projects championed by the former government.

The Coogee MP was spotted last year enjoying corporate hospitality at the rebuilt Allianz Stadium, despite vehemently opposing plans to build the new stadium before the 2019 election.

Her attendance at the packed Roosters-Rabbitohs clash came just days after then-Labor Leader Chris Minns told his MPs not to go to the stadium’s official opening.

At the time, Ms O’Neill said that as an avid Roosters supporter she rarely misses a game.