- The LNP has today flagged its first health cuts in Cairns putting the Cairns Health Innovation Centre at risk;
- 297 health positions were cut in the Cairns and Hinterland HHS when David Crisafulli and Jarrod Bleijie were senior members of Campbell Newman’s Government;
- 4400 health positions were cut statewide under the Newman Government
Media have today exposed the LNP’s plan to back out of a vital health commitment for the Far North.
The LNP have confirmed “all options are on the table” despite their previous commitment to the Cairns Hospital Innovation Precinct.
The Palaszczuk Government is embarking on a major infrastructure program to deliver the $9.78 billion Queensland Hospitals and Health Plan.
This includes the Cairns Hospital Expansion Project which will deliver an additional 96 beds for the Cairns and Hinterland region, includes 64 beds at Cairns Hospital, and 32 additional beds in a new, state-of-the-art surgical centre.
The new surgical centre will be adjacent to James Cook University’s Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC), which will form part of the Innovation Precinct, allowing for stronger linkages for teaching, learning and research.
The Palaszczuk Government has provided $4.65 million for the detailed business case for the Cairns Health and Innovation Centre to progress detailed planning for the project, with the business case expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman:
“While the Palaszczuk Government is delivering on plans for even more health infrastructure and health jobs in the Far North, the LNP are flagging cuts.
“The LNP should front media in Cairns today and flag why they are cutting health project and health jobs at a time when we need more health services.
“There is pressure on health services across Australia. The LNP’s cuts will only make those pressures worse.”
