Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria) (19:20): (2680) My adjournment matter is also for the Minister for Health, and the action I request of the minister is for her to provide a progress update on construction at the Barwon women’s and children’s. The Geelong region is one of the fastest growing regional areas in the country and one of the most popular destinations for people who want to live in a more regional setting. Families are moving to places like Armstrong Creek because they offer a great lifestyle as well as services and facilities close by. A growing region needs additional health facilities that provide specialist care to growing families, like the new children’s emergency department at the University Hospital Geelong, which was opened in 2024 with 28 dedicated treatment spaces and a separate paediatric triage system and waiting area. In good news for local families, the 2026–27 budget funded an expansion of services at the children’s ED. In even better news, work is underway on the more than $500 million Barwon women’s and children’s. It will provide maternity inpatient beds, paediatric multiday and same-day inpatient beds, special care, nursery cots, birthing suites, operating theatres and expanded paediatric and maternity specialist clinic facilities. The Barwon women’s and children’s is the kind of health facility a growing region like Geelong needs, and it is this Labor government that is delivering it. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and express thanks for the very strong advocacy for this development from the member for Geelong Christine Couzens and the efforts of all the other Geelong MPs.
Category: Parliament
