Premier pledges

Labor attacks Gutwein on RHH rebuild

LABOR has attacked the Government’s failure to complete the Royal Hobart Hospital rebuild on time during parliament’s first Question Time for 2020.

Described as the state’s “shiny new Premier” by Speaker Sue Hickey, Peter Gutwein faced his first Question Time as Liberal leader in State Parliament yesterday.

Unsurprisingly, his first question from Opposition Leader Rebecca White was about delays to the Royal Hobart Hospital’s K-Block, the Bridgewater Bridge replacement and the TT-Line ferry replacements.

Ms White described the hospital project as a “complete disaster”, noting it had been marred by mould, asbestos, dust and lead-contaminated water, and still was not open.

“Today, the Premier Peter Gutwein again couldn’t tell Tasmanians when the Royal Hobart Hospital will be finished and when it will be ready to take patients,” she told reporters. “This shouldn’t be so difficult.

“The Government have routinely provided updates on the practical completion when it’s been delayed in the past.

“It has been something they’ve disclosed and provided honestly. And now, for some reason, things have changed. “

Mr Gutwein vigorously defended his Government’s record, accusing Labor of “whingeing and carping”.

“After three months, is that the best the Leader of the Opposition can come up with?” he said. “It is implicit in the Leader of the Opposition’s question that you’d like us to take on the hospital when it’s not ready. That’s the height of irresponsibility.”

The morning’s proceedings began with new MP for Franklin Nic Street being affirmed.

The Premier also formally announced his new cabinet.

Each of the leaders paid tribute for miner Cameron Goss, 44, of Queenstown, who was killed when the earth beneath his loader collapsed in the early hours of January 23.

One MP from each of the major parties yesterday attended his funeral in the West Coast town.