The astonishing admission by Treasurer Michael Aird that he has not yet seen a business case for Labor's New Royal Hobart Hospital waterfront site gives further evidence that Labor is running away from this foolish, costly and inappropriate idea, State Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said today.
In Parliament last Thursday, Mr Aird said:
"The reality is that we have asked for a business case to be prepared for Cabinet's consideration - I have not seen that business case as yet - as we work our way through all the problems, and obviously you cannot consider that business case in isolation from the general financial situation that this State faces."
But we were told last year that the business case was delivered to Cabinet on 15 December and Health Minister Lara Giddings told Parliament it would be considered in 'late February early March".
"Fully four months later, the State's Treasurer's admission that he hasn't even seen a business case shows that the process has totally broken down.
"What is needed is some vision and leadership - which the Liberals have shown with their comprehensive and affordable plan for a New Royal on the current CBD site.
"The waterfront hospital site is terminally ill, and it is time for Premier David Bartlett to put it out of its misery, finally show some responsibility and accept that the best option is to redevelop a new, modern hospital on the current site," Mr Hodgman said.
