MANNING Valley residents have thrust the spotlight on the fineprint of the NSW government promise that $20 million will be committed to upgrade Manning Hospital.
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Last Friday news broke around 9.30am that NSW health minister Jillian Skinner had made a whirlwind visit to Taree to announce the funding with member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead at Manning Hospital. A little over 12 hours earlier at a Manning Valley Business Chamber public health forum, Mr Bromhead gave no indication of the pending funding announcement to the crowd of more than 60 people.
The Manning River Times posted news of the $20 million pledge on its website and Facebook.
"Mrs Skinner said if the government is re-elected on March 28, work will commence on the Manning Hospital upgrade in the next term."
Hours later NSW Premier Mike Baird revealed in an election debate with Labor leader, Luke Foley that he has "no plan B" if his electricity privatisation fails to come to fruition. The government is seeking a mandate to partially lease the State's electricity "poles and wires" to fund $20 billion worth of new roads and infrastructure.
Mr Baird said the Coalition had "no plan B" if the plan did not pass the upper house, or otherwise failed.
"We are seeking a mandate ... about how we deliver the infrastructure that this State desperately needs," Mr Baird said.
Mr Foley quickly seized on the comments, saying if the government cannot sell the NSW electricity network, "all the promises mean nothing."
The issue of funding the $20 million for Manning Hospital emerged in comments by Manning Valley residents on social media and the tone of comments revealed a heightened level of scepticism at the timing of the announcement.
Alice Siecker declared, "Hope this isn't dependent on ANYTHING!" and Kellie Brett questioned "where is this money coming from?"
Todd Wiseman called for Mr Bromhead to commit to resign if the funding was not delivered.
"Did they commit to a start date, otherwise it might not appear until just before the next election after this one. Mr Bromhead needs to state that if the funding doesn't materialise by, say, 12 months time, then he should resign. Give some incentive to show he is serious, and that this is not just a promise that may or may not happen," Mr Wiseman said.
Jo Mountney offered a "Hooray!" with Lesa Hawkins declaring it was "great news and it's about time!"
"There must be an election coming," observed Shane McLeay, with his words echoed by David Koppman, "must be an election coming up - oh sorry, cynical me."
Warren Fisher feels that it is "another pre-election promise that will most likely amount to nothing again."
Craig Priestly and Madeline Pass adopted a wait-and-see position with Madeline declaring, "Believe it when I see it!" and Craig adding, "I will believe it when I see actual work happening - at the moment it is just words!"
Karen Hook highlighted the fineprint of the promise. "Local paper has pic of the agreement, it does state if re-elected. Listen and look at what happened in Qld. LNP was in government for three years and didn't listen to the people (voters) of Qld over that time. Please make sure current members are working to benefit their area regardless of which major party wins election, health and roads are important issues," Karen said.
Julia Driscoll added, "Yep, the story itself says that Jillian Skinner said if the government was elected, then work would begin. And if Labor got voted in it wouldn't happen. In other words, this is contingent on the LNP being voted back in. It's not a done deal, it's an election 'promise'."
Joshua Kirkman spoke to the effect of the public campaign to highlight the infrastructure crisis at Manning Hospital.
"A bit of community engagement by people who care can get a result. Unfortunate that the current member failed to use his initiative earlier," Mr Kirkman said.
Christine Price added a little humour with a reference to the recent revelation of Manning Health Committee member, Sally Crawford about the real costs of office chairs to the NSW health budget.
"Nice. Now just don't spend it on new office chairs," Christine said.