Calvary Hospital: Former PM John Howard accuses ACT Labor of ‘greatest assault’ on private ownership

Former PM John Howard has lashed the ACT government’s forced takeover of the Catholic Calvary hospital.

Former prime minister John Howard. Picture: NCA Newswire/Monique Harmer

John Howard has described the ACT government’s forced takeover of the Catholic Calvary hospital as the greatest assault on the principle of private ownership he has seen in Australia.

The former prime minister also attacked Anthony Albanese for backing the compulsory ­acquisition of the public hospital in Canberra’s north with special legislation and no declared compensation for the building and the remaining 46-year lease.

Speaking on the Gold Coast at the launch of the book Dignity and Prosperity: The Future of Liberal Australia, Mr Howard said he was often criticised for “banging on about the principles of freedom being ­attacked”.

“Well they are very seriously under attack right now in the ACT,” he said.

“This attempt from the ACT government to grab this hospital from the Catholic Church, the Calvary hospital, is about as a blatant assault on the principle of private property I have seen in many, many years.”

Three weeks ago the Labor-Greens ACT government suspended normal parliamentary procedure and pushed through the forced takeover over the Calvary hospital, which had 46 years to run on its lease, without definite compensation.

The ACT government broke off negotiations with the Catholic healthcare group that runs the Calvary six months ago and suddenly announced a plan to change the law to allow the takeover so the hospital can be pulled down and a new one built.

Religious and business leaders fear the move will create a precedent for the forced takeover of other religious-run services and private commercial leases in the ACT.

Mr Howard said the Prime Minister lacked the “courage to call out what the ACT government is doing”.

Catholic Calvary Hospital.

“Anyone who has anything to do with health services in Australia will know what a wonderful contribution Catholic health services have provided over the years,” he said.

“What does Mr Albanese say? Well, that he can’t see any problem in the future.

“Well, I can see a problem in the present.”

The Supreme Court rejected a bid for an injunction from the Catholic health services seeking to stop the takeover. There may be an appeal to the High Court.