The Cook government has announced a new $50 million health infrastructure maintenance fund, amid mounting pressures on the West Australian public hospital system. Premier Roger Cook made the announcement at a press conference on Monday afternoon, promising a “significant health announcement” while flanked by two of his ministers.
This development follows a week of intense scrutiny over the government’s handling of health issues, particularly at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, which has been reportedly deteriorating. The announcement comes as the state grapples with the challenges of maintaining its aging hospital infrastructure.
Addressing WA’s Health System Challenges
Premier Cook emphasized the need for immediate action, stating that an audit of hospital infrastructure will be conducted by two of the state’s most experienced public servants, Under Treasurer Michael Barnes and former health director general Neale Fong. “We acknowledge that we need to do more to make sure our aging hospital infrastructure gets the maintenance and care that it needs,” Mr. Cook said.
The $50 million fund, to be allocated over the next two years, will primarily focus on Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, and Armadale hospitals. Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey noted that the government is already investing $271 million in maintenance this year.
“The review and audit will inform future decisions. But this is a start,” Minister Carey said. “We’ve got a lot of older hospitals. It is a big body of work.”
Opposition Criticism and Government Defense
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas criticized the government, accusing it of arrogance and failing to address systemic issues. “We called for an audit last week, we called for urgent funding last week, we were ridiculed,” Mr. Zempilas remarked. He argued that while the $50 million and the audit are welcome, they do not tackle the pressing issues of ambulance ramping and other systemic failures.
The Opposition’s health spokesperson Libby Mettam added that the government had been “dragged kicking and screaming” to this commitment. In response, Premier Cook defended his administration’s record, attributing the ability to fund these initiatives to Labor’s economic management.
“There’s no other place in the world you would want to be than in our hospital system if you have a need for urgent medical attention,” Mr. Cook asserted.
Expert Opinions and Future Implications
Australian Medical Association WA president Dr. Kyle Hoath welcomed the funding as a positive step. “My expectation is that this will undoubtedly lead to uncovering more things that need fixing,” he said, suggesting that further investment will be necessary.
According to the government’s budget papers, the additional $50 million represents just 0.13 percent of the government’s current and projected spending on infrastructure. The Cook government has earmarked $38 billion for its asset investment program over the next four years, with $3.2 billion allocated for health infrastructure.
The 2025-26 budget already includes $1.4 billion in additional spending in the health and mental health system, including $98 million to expand the aging Royal Perth Hospital emergency department.
Looking Ahead
The announcement of the maintenance fund is a crucial step in addressing the immediate needs of WA’s health system, but it also highlights the broader challenges facing public health infrastructure. As the audit progresses, the government will likely face further scrutiny over its ability to implement long-term solutions.
With public and political pressure mounting, the Cook government’s actions in the coming months will be closely watched as they strive to balance immediate repairs with strategic planning for the future of Western Australia’s health services.
