My plan to achieve a new, single-site, fit-for-purpose, greenfield hospital on the Border.
Read my plan below 👇🏻
The campaign for a new single-site hospital needs to be unified in entering a solutions phase.
We have overwhelmingly highlighted the problems with both the current hospital on the current site and with the redevelopment project proposal.
Since I became Wodonga’s Mayor two years ago, my focus has been serious about Wodonga’s advocacy for a new, single-site, fit for purpose hospital on the Border.
I’m solutions focused - under my leadership, Wodonga Council has conducted a well-represented Health Summit and coordinated the campaign for a regional level greenfield hospital. Under my leadership, we have opened dialogue with the Commonwealth, Victorian, and NSW governments.
I’ve brought together the support of all Councils & communities across the health region, and now that Albury Council has joined the charge, it’s time to use this widespread support to achieve action.
Whilst the hospital issue has been used as an opportunity for political point scoring and electioneering, I have worked at the higher level, going beyond simply identifying and complaining about the things that are wrong or inadequate in both the current health service and the hospital project proposal.
I have taken a positive, solution-based approach, seeking to find answers to the cross-border, State Government tensions.
My Plan:
If re-elected, I will continue a solutions focused approach that continues dialogue with all three governments and seeks to solve the three major challenges we face:
1) governance, 2) funding, and 3) suitable site.
My solutions, if I am re-elected, will be to continue the campaign to solve these three problems, to achieve the following objectives:
Establish a new, three-way Health Governance Model
Addressing our unique cross-Border health service and state tensions by establishing a new health governance model, inclusive of the Commonwealth Government.
Establish a new, locked-in funding formula
A three-way Health Governance Model would enable a locked-in Funding Formula, inclusive of recurrent operational funding and new infrastructure development. The funding formula would be robust and enforceable between the three-governments.
Establish a Greenfield Site Selection Criteria in partnership with Albury Council
and commence an impartial independent review of available suitable sites.
Incorporation of a Commonwealth funded University and Defence Medical School on the greenfield site
training medical professionals locally and meeting the needs of our universities and defence partners in the region, while bringing in the Commonwealth funding we need to make this a reality.