TAMWORTH HOSPITAL
Page: 9026
The Hon. TREVOR KHAN: My question is directed to the Treasurer. Given that the Tamworth Base Hospital redevelopment was announced in the 2006 State Infrastructure Strategy, why is it listed in the new 2008-2018 strategy document as "Not yet approved but forms part of the $140-billion State Infrastructure Strategy to 20017-18"? Why is the redevelopment not yet approved two years after the announcement? Why is it listed as being in the planning stage for the next four years? Why was no funding for the planning stage allocated in the 2008-09 budget? Is funding for the Tamworth Base Hospital redevelopment conditional upon the privatisation of the State's electricity assets? What steps will the Treasurer now take to expedite the process, secure the funding and push through the necessary approvals?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: Do I get three minutes to answer each of those questions? No? If the member had listened the last time I was asked about the infrastructure strategy—obviously he did not listen—he would understand that many items must go to the budget committee for final approval. That does not mean that any program with the notation "subject to final approval" is not part of the program. This redevelopment is certainly part of the program, but the final amounts will have to be approved by the budget committee.
The Hon. Duncan Gay: So you can't believe anything in it. It is a farce.
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: No, because they have not finalised the planning.
The Hon. Duncan Gay: That is what you said.
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: No, I did not. Listen to what I am saying. The final amounts are approved by the budget committee. If it is in the infrastructure program, it is certainly part of the Government's strategy over the next 10 years.
The Hon. Duncan Gay: What if it falls out?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: It will not fall out unless there is a change of policy, and if that happens it will be announced. I reiterate the point that I made the last time I was asked about this issue: No items in the infrastructure strategy are dependent upon the Government's electricity plans. I have already announced that none of the items in Budget Paper No. 4 is contingent upon the sales strategy or the broader strategy itself. The reality is that these matters are very transparent. Because the Opposition has run out of questions to ask, its members will continue this process of misleading both the community and themselves about the infrastructure strategy.