THE cost of a signature Palaszczuk Labor Government health program has soared by $40 million but bizarrely will not deliver a single extra hospital bed for Queenslanders.
Twelve months ago the Premier promised Queenslanders the Queensland Health and Hospital Plan’s Accelerated Delivery Program would deliver 289 hospital beds at cost of $229.7 million.
New Budget Estimates analysis reveals the price tag has blown out to $269 million, despite there being no additional beds for Queensland’s struggling hospitals.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said Queenslanders were paying a high price for the chaos and crisis in this third-term Labor Government.
“Only this tired, third term Labor Government could blow a budget by $40 million and deliver nothing more for Queenslanders,” Ms Bates said.
“This is another classic example of the Palaszczuk Labor Government caring more about the announcement rather than the follow through.
“This program was a rushed announcement in a desperate attempt to ease political pressure at a time when ambulance ramping remained the worst in the nation, elective surgeries were being cancelled and emergency departments were over-crowded.
“Sadly, 12 months on, nothing has changed, except the bill taxpayers are paying.
“Throwing money at the problem to quash negative media headlines won’t heal the Queensland Health Crisis.
“Photo-op Fentiman is clearly more interested in her own image and self-promotion than actually fixing the Queensland Health Crisis her Government has created.
“After eight years, three terms and four Health Ministers, the Palaszczuk Labor Government can’t build critical health infrastructure on time or on budget.
“Despite the huge extra price tag, Queenslanders won’t get an extra bed for the extra money in the middle of the Queensland Health Crisis.
“Queenslanders are missing out because of the chaos and crisis within the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“As a registered nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how crucial it is for all Queenslanders to have access to a world class health system no matter where they live.”