Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has called for the Cook Labor Government to right a wrong made earlier this year, urging funding for a Geraldton-based Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) facility to be funded in the mid-year budget review.
At the State Election, Labor made a $7.5m commitment to help build a local RFDS base in Geraldton: the organisation’s top funding priority according to its 2024-25 report.
However, when it came to the State Budget’s release in June, no funding for the facility was put down for the financial year, or any future years.
Ms Warr said the mid-year budget review provided the chance for this to be corrected.
“Since the initial announcement, the State Government has shown no interest in getting a local RFDS base in Geraldton up and running,” she said.
“Geraldton Health Campus refers approximately 900 patients per year for inter-hospital transfers by RFDS, which is the largest of any regional hospital in WA.
“The State Government must put this important project into its budget considerations, to ensure it is delivered in a timely manner.”
Earlier this year, extra health funding was made available to help with urgent concerns within the state’s health system.
Ms Warr said this proved funding could be made available.
“Since the election, the State Government has shown there have been many failures within the health sector across WA,” she said.
“It was only through pressure from the Opposition that extra health funding was made available for projects like Geraldton Health Campus and Mullewa Hospital.
“Regional communities rely on the RFDS in the event of an emergency, and having a hub in Geraldton to service the Mid West and beyond is a no-brainer.”
Ms Warr said the funding pledged by the State Government wouldn’t cover the whole project, with RFDS estimating the cost of building a service to be $12-15m.
“The Nationals WA pledged $12m at the election to ensure this vital project would be fully funded,”
she said.
“If the State Government is unable to commit the full amount, it must at least include the promise Labor made ahead of the election.”
“I will continue to raise the important matters within my community to ensure strong health outcomes for Geraldton.”