Daniel Andrews responds to backlash over renaming of Maroondah Hospital

A petition against Dan Andrews’ plan to strip Maroondah Hospital of its Indigenous name is growing as tens of thousands of people voice their objection.

More than 50,000 people have signed a change.org petition opposing the Premier’s plan to strip an eastern suburbs hospital of its Indigenous name and rename it after Queen Elizabeth II.

Premier Daniel Andrews earlier this month announced his $1.05bn pledge to rebuild the Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood and name it after the late monarch.

The petition accumulated more than 50,000 signatures in little more than a week – making it one of change.org’s most signed petitions this year.

Despite facing backlash from First Nations’ leaders, Mr Andrews on Wednesday maintained the renaming of the hospital was appropriate.

“The new Queen Elizabeth II Hospital will be located in the city of Maroondah, adjacent to the Maroondah Highway.

“It’s a new hospital. And it’s going to get a new name,” Mr Andrews said.

“It’s a fitting recognition of the contribution that the late Queen made – a great patron of the NHS in Britain, a great patron of, for instance, the Royal Children’s Hospital. She opened two of those which is a pretty special thing to think to do.

“As for the naming of the hospital, we think that’s appropriate. What’s more, we’re going to get on and give the east something special … a brand-new $1bn hospital that will provide care and support for every family, right across this region.”

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chair Marcus Stewart has again called on the Premier to rethink his position on the name change.

“Displacing Aboriginal names in favour of colonial symbols of privilege and royalty is completely misreading the mood,” Mr Stewart said.

“The First Peoples’ Assembly is the democratic voice for First Peoples in this state, so I hope he’s willing to rethink his stance on this one, he should listen to our voice and the voice of 50,000 allies who have added their name to this petition.”

Change.org Australia Associate Campaigns Director Salonie Dua said she was proud to support the petition “to preserve Aboriginal culture”.

“It’s incredible to see 50,000 people add their support. It’s a powerful indication of how much support there is for meaningful consultations with First Nations leaders,” Ms Dua said.

The petition was organised by community group Maroondah Action after the new name was announced and is now being run by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

Maroondah Hospital is set to be renamed. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mr Andrews last week said the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, which represents Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state, was primarily elected to negotiate Treaty.

“That’s what they’re elected to do and we’re delivering that treaty. And I wouldn’t want anyone to lose sight of that fact,” Mr Andrews said.

“(The hospital) will be in the City of Maroondah — the whole local government area is named Maroondah.

“It’s a brand new hospital for Melbourne’s east and it’s going to get a new name and it’s going to be absolutely fantastic.

“I think you would, in light of the tragic passing of the former Queen, you would want to perhaps pay tribute to her.”

It comes as the Victorian Greens on Tuesday announced it would introduce a motion to reverse the government’s decision.

Victorian Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam branded the name change as “disrespectful” and has urged both major parties and crossbenchers to support the motion.

“What is Labor thinking changing the name of a hospital from a First Nations word to the name of a foreign monarch representing colonisation?” Dr Rattan said

“It is a disrespectful decision that erases precious Woiwurrung language. This is not what Treaty looks like.

“If this government is serious about Treaty it would listen to First Nations communities and act now, not later.”

Unlikely ally emerges in name fight

The Premier said the move was “a fitting tribute” to Queen Elizabeth, whom he described as “a great supporter of our health system”.

The move attracted criticism and thousands of signatures petitioning for the hospital’s name to remain unchanged.

“Maroondah” is an Aboriginal word meaning “throwing” and “Maroon” means “leaves”, according to the City of Maroondah council website.

Victorian Greens Senator Lydia Thorpe on Monday criticised the Premier, branding the move “an insult”.

“This is not what Treaty looks like, Dan,” the Aboriginal senator wrote on Twitter.

“Maroondah is a Woiwurrung word meaning leaf, which symbolises Maroondah’s green environment. What an insult to now colonise us, again.”

Daniel Andrews’ unlikely ally, Tim Smith.

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe.

But Liberal MP Tim Smith — a harsh critic of Mr Andrews and his government — said renaming the hospital in the Queen’s honour was “a good idea” and branded calls to reverse the decision as “stupid”.

“It’s entirely appropriate for that hospital to be renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital and for those that are suggesting otherwise, I would call it peak stupid,” Mr Smith said.

“As a member of His Majesty’s loyal opposition, I absolutely endorse the renaming of that hospital.”

When asked if he thought the name change could be viewed as insensitive, the Premier said: “The local government area remains named appropriately.”

“The entire (Maroondah) local government area uses that name and I don’t know whether there would have been consultation when the hospital was first named,” Mr Andrews said.

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chair Marcus Stewart described the move as unjust and “completely against the spirit of reconciliation”.

Mr Stewart said he would have expected the government to consult with the traditional owners of the land – the Wurundjeri people – before making the decision.

“We’ve managed to have one hospital named in language, one hospital, and now this government had gone and taken this away from us,” Mr Stewart said.

“It’s just not the truth and it’s not in the spirit of Treaty making.

“If government are genuine about reconciliation they just cannot not change that name.”

Meanwhile, opposition Treasury spokesman David Davis branded the government “arrogant” for failing to consult with community groups regarding the name change.

“I’m a monarchist so I’m in favour of Queen Elizabeth II, I’m quite happy and open to admit that and I think the outpouring for her has been remarkable,” Mr Davis said.

“What they have not done is talk to the community. Did they consult with the local council? Did they consult with the Community Advisory Committee of the hospital? I suspect that there was no formal, proper, broad consultation on this matter.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas making the announcement on Sunday. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“I think Maroondah is a fine name. I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with that. Is that the hospital that we wanted to name after Queen Elizabeth II? I think that is a matter for community engagement.”

Mr Andrews on Sunday unveiled his $1.05bn plan to rebuild and expand the Maroondah Hospital and rename it in honour of the late Queen.

The Queen Elizabeth II Hospital will treat an extra 9000 patients, including 22,400 presentations to the emergency department.

Mr Andrews on Sunday said the hospital would provide a lasting legacy for the Queen, who was a “longstanding supporter of Victoria’s healthcare system”.

“Queen Elizabeth holds a special place in the hearts of Victorians. A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will rebuild and expand Maroondah Hospital before renaming it in Her Majesty’s honour,” he said on Sunday.

Queen Elizabeth inspects the meerkat enclosure at the Royal Children’s Hospital during her 2011 visit to Melbourne.

The hospital will feature brand new operating theatres, day procedure facilities and specialist care spaces, as well as a larger medical imaging unit and a new emergency department.

Two six-storey inpatient towers housing more than 200 extra beds will be built as part of the expansion, designed to meet growing hospital capacity demands in the eastern suburbs.

The hospital’s new emergency department will have an extra 14 treatment spaces, including dedicated areas for children and a mental health hub for people experiencing psychological distress.

The rebuild and refurbishment is expected to cost up to $1.05bn, with the hospital to begin opening in stages from 2029.

Construction will commence in 2025, with the project set to create about 2500 jobs.