PRU Goward has thrown a famous phrase back into her Labor rival’s face following yesterday’s $270 million hospital announcement.
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“It’s last minute fairy dust,” she told the Post yesterday.
“The costing has avoided the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), the cut off for which was last Friday. It’s last minute desperation in an attempt to get into government.”
Opposition leader Luke Foley said yesterday the promise had been considered by the PBO as part of an extra $10 billion in Labor commitments six weeks ago.
Ms Goward said in contrast, the Liberals had undertaken $600,000 in planning work and Health Infrastructure was completing a business case.
“I’m very skeptical about it and I don’t think Goulburn will fall for it two days out from an election...It is a fairly common ploy.”
The MP reminded people that Dr Stephens had recently told the Sydney Morning Herald that a new hospital was not what Goulburn needed.
Questioned on whether the Libs $120m hospital announcement had also been scrutinised by the PBO, Ms Goward said it did not fall under its responsibility because it was part of the Health Department’s general revenue.
The announcement was however made after election writs were issued.
Yesterday, Health Minister Jillian Skinner branded Labor’s promise as “typical Labor – overpromise and underdeliver.”
“The facts are clear - Labor cannot be trusted to deliver a redevelopment of Goulburn Hospital. It is no surprise Labor has not placed a timeframe on when work will start on this last minute project.
“It is a desperate media stunt reminiscent of the many hospital upgrade announcements Labor made in elections-past.
“Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Dubbo, Lismore – all these regional and rural hospital upgrades were promised for decades under Labor but what did it deliver? Zip.”
Ms Goward yesterday afternoon published a Youtube video, stating "you can't trust Labor on this hospital".