Country hospitals suffer funding whilst a tram is extended for new RAH

Monday, 11 April 2011

Health gave $6m for tram stop

KEVIN NAUGHTON

MORE than $6 million was paid from Health Department grants funding to pay for part of the tram extension along North Terrace in anticipation of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

No other money was sought from businesses or institutions on the route.

Shadow Health minister Duncan McFetridge said the payment reflected the wrong priorities.

“If the government believes Health should pay because a tram line is built outside its new hospital location, then why hasn’t it asked the Casino, Rundle Mall and Uni SA for similar contributions?” he said.

“It’s $6 million that would have been better spent on health care.”

The grant of $6,248,444 appears in a list of more than 400 Health Department grants for community-based health care programs in the 2010 financial year.

It is the only grant that is not related to community-based health care or health promotion. The other grants, totalling $122.7 million, range from $14,755 for childhood immunisation to $1.3 million for AIDS Council programs.

The 20-page list was provided last week by the Health Department in response to a question asked last October by Dr McFetridge about the tram extension payment.

No reasons are given for the tram payment.

When the question was first raised in Budget hearings last October 11, Health Minister John Hill said he would respond after taking advice.

“We are not precisely sure, but we will get some advice,” Mr Hill said.

“I am assuming it was work that was being done by them for us, but I will get some advice for you.

“The tram project is not a Health Department project.”

Mr McFetridge asked again why the money was paid from the Health budget?

Mr Hill: “I am not trying to be difficult, but I am not aware of the detail. I will happily get some advice.”

Indaily also asked the Minister’s office last Friday for a reason why the Health money had been diverted to pay for a tram extension. No response was received.

A spokesman for Transport and Infrastructure minister Pat Conlon told Indaily: “Both extensions were entirely funded by the State Govt through DTEI with no contributions made or sought from private enterprise.”

- Author Kevin Naughton InDaily www.indaily.com.au