Published June 2026
The Labor Government is floundering on the New Women’s and Children’s Hospital, with questioning in estimates revealing Labor has no total cost and no final plans for the project- 12 years after it was first flagged. The Premier, Treasurer and Health Minister are at pains to say it’ll be challenging to deliver the project in the $3.2 billion budget but refuse to put a new figure on it. State Liberal Leader, Ashton Hurn, said it became clear during the estimates process that Labor has no idea how much the New WCH will cost, which should concern every South Australian family. “The Premier says the budget is ‘incredibly difficult’ and ‘challenging’, the Minister says it’s ‘under pressure’ while the Treasurer said it is a ‘very troubled project’,” Mrs Hurn said. “These are all just Labor code for ‘blow-out’ and the reality is the government have no idea how much it’s going to cost the taxpayer. “This is an important project for our health system and we need Labor to be up front about its cost.” Shadow Minister for Health, Jack Batty, said Labor is setting a new record for spin over their attempts to delay telling South Australians the truth about the New WCH Project. “How can the Health Minister and Premier be so definitive on a timeline if they don’t have a design, when it’s because they don’t have a design that they can’t give us a cost?” Mr Batty said. “The idea that the new hospital remains on track and on budget is a total fantasy. Labor has got no plans, no costings and no idea. “They need to fess up and tell us what is going on with one of the most important health infrastructure projects in the state’s history.” Media Contact: Ben Avery 0439 955 254 |
