President, I also offer my congratulations to you on your election earlier today.
My adjournment matter this evening is directed to the Minister for Health, David Davis, and it relates to the level of funding for the expansion of the Geelong Hospital. I quote from the Geelong Advertiser editorial of 9 December 2010, which states:
“… Geelong discovered on Tuesday that a pledge of $165 million for Geelong Hospital from the Liberals came with a disappointing qualification attached that only $50 million would be available in its first term in office.”
I seek clarification from the minister as to the reasons why this detail was not provided to the people of Geelong before the election, and I request that the minister provide an explanation as to why only $50 million will now be provided when only weeks ago the coalition committed $165 million towards Geelong health services.
I raise this, as I know it can be done. The previous state government went to the 2006 election with an election commitment of over $80 million to redevelop the Warrnambool hospital. All the money that was promised was delivered, and it has been through that commitment that the Warrnambool hospital redevelopment is now very close to completion.
I want to know when this government will provide assurance and consistency to the people of Geelong that the election promise made only weeks ago will be honoured and that the full amount for the 64-bed, dual-ward upgrade will be forthcoming, as well as the moneys for the second hospital in Geelong, within this term of government. I request that the minister take urgent and immediate action to remedy this matter as soon as possible.