Budget 2021: Opposition MPs slam lack of funding for Toowoomba Hospital upgrade

Opposition MPs have called out the Queensland Government’s Toowoomba Hospital upgrade budget snub in the face of an impending health crisis

The lack of funding for a new Toowoomba Hospital has been a sticking point in the wake of the Queensland Government’s 2021 budget, with Opposition MPs calling for funding to address a growing health crisis.

Tuesday’s state budget featured a total of $1.1 billion for the Darling Downs and South West Hospital and Health Services, and Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said while it was pleasing to see a $5.9 million two-theatre day surgery unit at the Baillie Henderson Hospital Campus included, the lack of funding for a major hospital redevelopment was disappointing.

“I would say it’s good news about the day surgery, which is something that wasn’t in the budget previously, so it’s good to see that the government listened to the people of Toowoomba,” he said.

“However, I am disappointed there was no money in the budget to build our new hospital which is so desperately needed.

Member for Toowoomba North,Trevor Watts.

“While a day surgery will take some pressure off our local waiting lists it certainly won’t solve the pending health crisis as population ages.

“At the moment, the government said they’re looking at it. We’ve got the business case done, and I would call on the government to seriously look at a public-private partnership, that’s how the Sunshine Coast hospital got built, so I think we should use that model to get the health services we need.

“If we start building the new hospital tomorrow it will be five years before it comes on line. We can’t wait to make this decision, it’s critical we make the decision now or it may well cost lives.”

Toowoomba South MP and Opposition spokesman on treasury David Janetzki said the state government must act to secure the future sustainability of our regional health system.

Mr Watts said the $15 million in funding for Wilsonton State High School was good news as part of the budget’s education cash splash across the region, which also includes Toowoomba’s state special schools.

Artist impressions of the new Toowoomba Hospital at the site of the old Baillie Henderson Hospital site. Photo: Supplied.

“Special school service, not just Toowoomba, but lots of people move to town to make sure their kids get the education they need in a facility purpose-built, so it’s good news those facilities are being upgraded to the standard it should be,” he said.

In regards to infrastructure, Mr Watts said a glaring omission was the lack of funding for a key piece of roadway in his electorate.

“A really big disappointment is the lack of funding for a northern connector road from Highfields into Wilsonton into Westbrook,” he said.

“It’s a congestion busting piece of infrastructure, and right now we should be doing a business case for it and securing the corridor so the community doesn’t face massive congestion in future years.”