The West Australian Government has committed $1.8 billion to a new women’s and babies’ hospital for Perth, following a larger-than-expected forecast surplus for next financial year.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the mid-year financial review, which is expected to be handed down in the coming weeks, would predict a surplus of $2.2 billion for 2021 — $1 billion more than was estimated in this year’s budget.
Mr McGowan said the additional funds would allow the Government to fully fund a new maternity hospital at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, delivering on a promise to move the ageing King Edward Memorial Hospital from its century-old site.
The Government had committed $230 million to the project last year — following a royalties settlement with miner BHP — but said it was forced to withdraw the funds when COVID-19 hit.
“All of our effort in keeping COVID out and keeping our economy strong has meant that our situation has recovered more quickly than we would have otherwise thought,” Mr McGowan said.
He said a significant part of that recovery was led by the mining industry.
“We kept it open, that decision has been vindicated by what has happened,” Mr McGowan added.
“What we want to do is make sure that good fortune, that good management, is used for a good purpose,” he said.
More to come.
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