The Department of Health & Ageing is stalling on the details over the Redcliffe GP Super Clinic, with specific questions about the clinic still outstanding from the October supplementary budget estimates session.
"Estimates questions are asked with the expectation that they will be responded to," said Shadow Minister for Ageing and Mental Health, Senator Concetta Fierravanti‐Wells, representing the Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing in the Senate.
"These answers were due back in early December and now two months later, the day before Estimates, again we are still waiting, "she said.
The Redcliffe GP Super Clinic has been plagued with problems, with builders threatening to walk off the job, and an additional $8.22 million in additional federal funding required to bail out the failing project.
The outstanding questions could give some insight into the core problems faced by the clinic.
Those outstanding details include:
- A copy of the funding agreement between the Clinic’s operator and Commonwealth
- A number of specific details about the Redcliffe GP Super Clinic, the services it will provide, and what the money will deliver
- Questions as to the Minister’s knowledge of the finance issues surrounding the Clinic
"The taxpayers have had over $13 million ripped out of their pockets for this clinic, I think they have a right to know how that money has been spent" said Andrew Southcott, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Healthcare, and opposition spokesperson on the GP Super Clinics program.
"Three clinics have required additional funding, two have been scrapped, and after more than four years only 22 of the 64 promised have opened their doors."
"We have tried to hold the Government to account over this $650 million dollar program, but have been stonewalled by the Minister at every possible opportunity."
"The question is whether these responses have been delayed by the Department or in the Minister’s office while she tries to hide the truth."
"The GP Super Clinics program has been a disaster from day one, and the Minister and the Department of Health & Ageing really need to come clean and put it all on the public record."