CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr RICK WILSON (O'Connor) (10:45): I rise today to acknowledge a landmark achievement for the Northern Goldfields town of Laverton and the many remote O'Connor communities that it serves. Last week, the new Laverton Hospital welcomed its first patient, marking the culmination of more than a decade of advocacy, determination and perseverance by the Shire of Laverton and its residents.
As their federal member, I've been privileged to be involved in this project throughout its chequered history thanks to the tenacity of long-term Shire of Laverton President, Patrick Hill, and his dedicated councillors. In 2015, the replacement for the 50-year-old Laverton Hospital secured state funding through the Barnett government's Royalties for Regions program.
However, following the election of a Labor government in Western Australia, those funds were withdrawn by the then health minister and now Premier Roger Cook. Meanwhile, Laverton residents were left waiting for vital healthcare infrastructure they had long been promised. The former federal coalition government recognised the importance of this project, and then health minister Greg Hunt announced a $16.8 million fund through the Community Health and Hospitals Program.
That investment reflected a strong coalition commitment to improving health outcomes in regional and remote Australia. The project suffered further delays but, thanks to strong local advocacy, the new hospital finally achieved practical completion—at a blown-out cost of $67 million. The significance of this new hospital extends well beyond the town boundaries.
Laverton is the WA gateway of another passion project of Councillor Patrick Hill, the Outback Way, Australia's longest shortcut connecting Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. As the sealing of this iconic 2,700 kilometre transcontinental highway continues, an increasing number of tourists, along with mining, agriculture and freight logistics, is anticipated.
This new hospital will play a vital role for the safety of those travellers and improve access to health services for the many remote Aboriginal communities and pastoral stations between Laverton and the tri-state border. For many, access to modern healthcare infrastructure will mean timely treatment closer to home, instead of lengthy journeys to Kalgoorlie or Perth.
This new facility will provide better working conditions for our regional healthcare professionals and improve emergency and clinical services for all. I acknowledge the Shire of Laverton, the healthcare workers and the locals who worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition throughout years of setbacks and uncertainty. On 14 November, I will join the community in Laverton to celebrate this achievement.
After years of waiting, Laverton finally has the modern fit-for-purpose hospital it deserves. Regional Australians should never have to settle for second best when it comes to essential health services.