Latest news with #Pastorelli
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
John Carey admits he wants more money to fix Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after state of disrepair exposed
John Carey has finally admitted that he wants more money to fix the ailing Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, despite other ministers rejecting evidence it has fallen into disrepair. The Health Infrastructure Minister said that he expected more funding would be allocated but would not say how much he had asked for — or whether previous requests had been refused. 'We are spending currently at Charlies on upgrades, maintenance and equipment, it's around $113 million,' he said outside State Parliament on Thursday. 'I do anticipate that we will be making more investment in Charlies with that ageing infrastructure . . . I will, look, as a minister, every minister and every portfolio advocates for more funding.' Mr Carey would not commit to any fast-tracked funding before the Budget's usual mid-year review in December. 'Respectfully, I'm not going into any internal processes relating to budgeting,' he said. 'I point to the fact that we've already made decisions that's seeing around $113 million invested in Charlies.' Cabinet secretary Daniel Pastorelli, who was previously Premier Roger Cook's chief of staff, insisted when asked about hundreds of leaks and claims of black mould that the $100 million spent was enough. One nurse even said she has seen mushrooms growing out of the ceiling. Mr Pastorelli is in charge of Labor's community consultation process for the Burswood race track and amphitheatre, which the Opposition wants scrapped to free up $217 million for hospital repairs. Outside Parliament on Thursday, Mr Pastorelli said the Burswood project was an election promise. 'The Premier is very committed to delivering election commitments and that's what we'll be doing,' he said. Mr Pastorelli agreed that maintaining WA's hospitals to standard was also an election commitment. 'That's exactly right and that's what the Government is doing as well,' he said. 'The Government's committed a bit more than $100 million on a range of maintenance funding for Charlies hospital and that's been delivered.' Pressed on whether it had been enough, Mr Pastorelli said: 'I think it has.' Treasurer Rita Saffioti appeared to blame the Health Department for maintenance shortfalls, questioning a whistleblower's claims that management was unable to sign off on critical but costly works. 'They request funding in the budget submissions annually,' the staff member said. 'Only our top five requests are funded. Imagine that, only five issues across all of NMHS hospitals are funded. 'Things like critical infrastructure works, fire-related building risks, air-conditioning systems, water quality. 'So things keep failing because large funding amounts are not provided to replace the 40-year-old infrastructure.' Ms Saffioti said those decisions were not for her to make. 'We set a budget each year, we allocate those budgets to the departments,' she said. 'The departments make those operational decisions. We're not signing off on individual maintenance items.' Ms Saffioti accused the Opposition of lying over claims the maintenance budget had been cut. 'They weren't comparing like with like,' she said. 'Total health maintenance expenditure in 2017-18 was $180 million, now it's $240 million. 'We understand that both Charlies and Royal Perth, in particular, are ageing hospitals. We understand that and that's why we're injecting so much.' Ms Saffioti would not say whether more money has been requested by Mr Carey or Health Minister Meredith Hammat. 'There's always huge demand,' she said. 'Every agency across every budget will always have new spending measures. 'We have got more money in the system, there's more money today than there was yesterday. But we want to make sure that it's spent effectively.'
Perth Now
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Complete sham': Track plans spark protests at Optus Stadium
The Save Burswood Park Alliance has labelled recent community consultation about the Burswood racetrack a 'sham'. It claims the tender for the project was issued well before consultation had begun and closed before it had been completed. Hundreds of people attended community feedback sessions from last Thursday to Sunday, sharing their ideas and thoughts on the released plans for the new Perth entertainment and sporting precinct for Burswood Park. Your local paper, whenever you want it. A statement released by Save Burswood Park Alliance said the sessions were 'set up with only a basic 'cartoon' layout of the development and with government staff unable to answer targeted questions relating to track design and construction, noise modelling, and plant and animal surveys'. It said many people were agitated and vocal about the 'lack of information available'. Save Burswood Park Alliance co-chair Robin Harvey said Landsdale MLA Daniel Pastorelli, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, had attended all four sessions as the government's spokesman and in discussions about the racetrack he repeatedly said it was a non-negotiable part of the project. Protestors at a drop in session for the Entertainment and Sporting Precinct at Burswood Park. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian 'What is the point of community consultation when the community's main objection is dismissed like that?' Dr Harvey said. 'Real community consultation involves the community and all other stakeholders from the beginning. 'This V8 Supercars proposal was presented to us as a fait accompli. The consultation is clearly a complete sham.' Mr Pastorelli told PerthNow the program of consultation had been extensive and had welcomed discussions with all interested residents and relevant stakeholders. 'The drop-in sessions have been a key element of the consultation. The sessions were respectful and we received constructive and beneficial feedback,' he said. 'I have personally been undertaking a range of face-to-face meetings with residents and stakeholders including key community residents, which will continue over coming weeks. 'The community feedback is essential in informing the design and delivery of the new precinct.' Mr Pastorelli acknowledged some residents may have wanted more specific information but said the project was not yet at that stage. Part of the protest at the drop-in session for the entertainment and sporting precinct at Burswood Park. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian 'We are currently in the consultation phase and detailed design is yet to be completed — noting a contract for design has not been awarded,' he said. 'The project team comprised of public servants do a remarkable job day-in-day-out and we thank those people who were respectful in their engagement with them at the drop-in sessions.' Mr Pastorelli said Indigenous consultation to help with design had started. 'Initial consultation has been held with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, and a cultural advisory group to provide cultural advice during design development will be established,' he said. Dr Harvey said the Alliance agreed with the project's planned landscape improvements and outdoor amphitheatre, although there were concerns about its scope and size. Protesters against the plans rallied at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon hoping to catch people attending an AFL game. Community consultation for the project will continue in the upcoming weeks.
