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Lovell, O’Keeffe slam Labor for walking away from stage two of GV Health redevelopment

By Max Stainkamph

Mar 16, 2023

Not happy: State MPs Wendy Lovell and Kim O’Keeffe have slammed the Victorian Government for not committing to fund stage two of the GV Health redevelopment. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has slammed the Victorian Government for not committing to funding of stage two of the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment.

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Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited the official opening of the $229 million emergency department, which was slated to be stage one of the hospital’s redevelopment.

Ms Thomas’s press release about the opening of the emergency department called it the “final stage”.

Ms Lovell said it was “insulting for Labor to expect the Goulburn Valley community to celebrate what is currently a job half done”.

“For GV Health to deliver the best possible health outcomes for our community, the Andrews Labor Government needs to commit significant funding for the completion of the hospital and a clinical health school.

“La Trobe University studies show that those who train in regional areas are more likely to stay there.

“It is critically important that the Andrews Labor Government provide immediate funding to establish a clinical health school on the Graham St site.”

She said the facilities were needed to address the “dire shortage” of local nurses, midwives and allied health workers in the region.

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said she was surprised by Ms Thomas’s phrasing of “final stage”, having been involved in conversations with people at GV Health about the next stage, which would involve the cancer centre, car park, helipad and more.

“It’s interesting to see Labor celebrating when the job’s not done yet,” she said.

“It’s really concerning because it is not finished; when this final bit is completed we’ll be three quarters of the way to the completed stages.”

Ms O’Keeffe said she would continue working towards getting funding for the hospital, with health funding a major topic in parliament.