As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will partner with the Launceston Health Hub to build a new $70 million hospital in Launceston.
The new hospital would have private hospital rooms, theatres, endoscopy units and an additional 20 beds – available to treat both public and private patients.
Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, said that the new Launceston Health Hub is an exciting development for Launceston which will help to ensure that northern Tasmanians get the health care they need, when they need it.
“The Launceston Health Hub is a fantastic and welcome addition to Launceston, and by partnering with the Hub to build a hospital we will be able to take it to the next level”, Minister Barnett said.
“Building a better heath system is a key priority of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future and this announcement builds on the strong plans we announced yesterday – our innovative GP Guarantee; an effective ban on ramping including 44 more ED doctors and 25 new ED nurses; and our near $500 million in infrastructure upgrades at all four of Tasmania’s public hospitals.
Treasurer Michael Ferguson said the Liberals will directly invest in the hospital asset through a $35 million, 50 per cent stake in the joint venture, not an “interest-free” loan which would have to be funded by taxpayers.
“As part of our agreement, we would deliver public surgeries in the same way as we do with other private hospitals in our partnership.
“In this way, we retain taxpayer ownership of the taxpayer investment and we protect public funding because we are not on the hook for what could be up to $38.7 million in subsidies like Labor’s 10-year interest free $70 million loan proposal. Ms White seems to have forgotten that when she promises massive interest free loans, the taxpayer is left to pay the Government’s borrowing costs.
“Put simply, under Labor’s approach the taxpayer owns nothing, and pays more.”
“This model provides value for money for Tasmanian taxpayers, allows for growth in health services across the north, provides Tasmanians with public access to additional operating theatres to deliver more elective surgery and endoscopies sooner, at a site close to the Launceston General Hospital.
Minister Barnett said that a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will also partner with the Hub to deliver 20 additional public rehabilitation or sub-acute beds. This will ease the pressures on the Launceston General Hospital from Stage 1 of the extended Launceston Health Hub in central Launceston, now under construction and opening in mid-2025.
