Shannon Fentiman’s taunt as LNP govt grapples with hospital crisis

Former health minister Shannon Fentiman has hit out after Premier David Crisafulli vowed health infrastructure would be delivered despite more than $6bn in cost blowouts.

Health minister turned shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman

Queensland’s pipeline of major health infrastructure will be delivered despite more than $6bn in cost blowouts, Premier David Crisafulli has vowed.

But the newly minted LNP government is also planning to do so while keeping to its promise of lowering debt in the state.

Mr Crisafulli said the state government would be able to deliver the series of health projects by respecting Queenslanders’ money and making sure things were done on time and on budget.

“We will deliver these projects, and Queenslanders will see good value for money in what we do,” he said.

“They will know that their money will be respected.

“Debt will always be lower under the LNP.”

Health Minister Tim Nicholls is dealing with a health budget blowout of just under $6.4bn caused by increased scopes or cost increases across the hospital expansion pipeline.

Mr Nicholls said factors increase including the impost of BPIC obligations on major construction sites, material and supply costs, lack of fiscal prudence and “Labor’s failure to listen to clinicians and include required project components in the initial project plan or costings” had caused the increase.

Shadow treasurer and former health minister Shannon Fentiman said some of the project scopes had been finalised in the caretaker period.

She also said it was normal during the “detailed design” phase for clinicians to come back and say particular facilities like pharmacies, mortuaries, or to otherwise improve patient flow needed to be added.

“That’s what governments do. You’re in government now, Tim Nicholls and David Crisafulli, you have to make the tough decisions to pay more to make sure our hospitals can cope with the increased demand,” Ms Fentiman said.

Originally published as Shannon Fentiman’s taunt as LNP govt grapples with hospital crisis