Roxon washes hands of Redcliffe super clinic freeze
29th Sep 2011
HEALTH
Minister Nicola Roxon has passed responsibility for the stalled
Redcliffe GP super clinic to the Queensland government after it rejected
an emergency loan request that could have revived the project.
The $5 million centre was meant to have opened in June but is now under a cloud after builders fenced off the site because of a $1.5 million construction bill they say has gone unpaid for two months.
The state-appointed Redcliffe Hospital Foundation, which is in charge of the project, had sought an emergency loan from Queensland – a move supported by the federal government – but was refused.
Ms Roxon said it was disappointing and the delays were "regrettable".
"Nevertheless, despite my disappointment, I respect that decisions involving Queensland finances must be made by the Queensland government," Ms Roxon said this week.
Independent advice tells the federal government that the project is viable and sustainable, so "questions on the reasons for refusal will need to be directed to the Queensland Health Minister [Geoff Wilson]", she added.
Amid coalition claims Ms Roxon was oblivious to the problems at the Redcliffe centre, she insisted she had been aware of the issue "for some time".
She said she personally asked a deputy secretary from her department to get in touch and organise face-to-face meetings with the foundation and various stakeholders as recently as within the past fortnight.
Ms Roxon did not comment on suggestions the commonwealth is working on providing its own emergency funding, but said only that she would work urgently with all parties to ensure the Redcliffe centre is completed.
Mr Wilson said yesterday that he reported the matter to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, requesting an investigation into the project and “the Foundation's failure to ensure compliance with basic finance and accountability standards”.
Ms Roxon said that was a matter for Queensland, but the commonwealth supported "reasonable steps" to strengthen the foundation's governance.
AAP
The $5 million centre was meant to have opened in June but is now under a cloud after builders fenced off the site because of a $1.5 million construction bill they say has gone unpaid for two months.
The state-appointed Redcliffe Hospital Foundation, which is in charge of the project, had sought an emergency loan from Queensland – a move supported by the federal government – but was refused.
Ms Roxon said it was disappointing and the delays were "regrettable".
"Nevertheless, despite my disappointment, I respect that decisions involving Queensland finances must be made by the Queensland government," Ms Roxon said this week.
Independent advice tells the federal government that the project is viable and sustainable, so "questions on the reasons for refusal will need to be directed to the Queensland Health Minister [Geoff Wilson]", she added.
Amid coalition claims Ms Roxon was oblivious to the problems at the Redcliffe centre, she insisted she had been aware of the issue "for some time".
She said she personally asked a deputy secretary from her department to get in touch and organise face-to-face meetings with the foundation and various stakeholders as recently as within the past fortnight.
Ms Roxon did not comment on suggestions the commonwealth is working on providing its own emergency funding, but said only that she would work urgently with all parties to ensure the Redcliffe centre is completed.
Mr Wilson said yesterday that he reported the matter to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, requesting an investigation into the project and “the Foundation's failure to ensure compliance with basic finance and accountability standards”.
Ms Roxon said that was a matter for Queensland, but the commonwealth supported "reasonable steps" to strengthen the foundation's governance.
AAP
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