Qld’s Largest Kids Hospital: First to go on Nicholls’ infrastructure hit list

Shadow Treasurer Tim Nicholls has revealed the first infrastructure project to be cut if the Opposition won government would be the $1.1 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said Mr Nicholls admission on ABC Radio this morning would be a massive blow to jobs, to the economy and to the health of Queensland kids.

Mr Nicholls told the Madonna King program this morning that the Opposition wanted one children's hospital and would not build the new Queensland Children’s Hospital at South Brisbane.

“That’s almost 7000 jobs gone under the Opposition’s plan,” Mr Lucas said.

“Constructing the Queensland Children’s Hospital will generate jobs for 6895 jobs by 2014 – and today Mr Nicholls ripped up their pay cheques before most of them have even begun working.

“Work’s already underway on the new hospital at South Brisbane. Not only does the Opposition want to shut up shop on that – they want to close the Mater down.”

Mr Lucas said Mr Nicholls had let the cat out the bag last year by revealing he would slash jobs and reduce investment in Queensland by cutting infrastructure projects.

“He said last year he’d do it and now he’s delivered on that promise.”

“Frankly, I thought Mr Nicholls would start by cutting something smaller – maybe a police station on the Gold Coast, a road upgrade in Mackay or a school in Cairns. All those types of projects are under threat from the Opposition’s plan.

“But I am astounded that the very first thing Mr Nicholls announced he would cut is a kids hospital the LNP had previously supported.

“Lawrence Springborg’s small target strategy is all about hiding their big targets – to cut jobs, to cut Queensland’s largest ever kids hospital and to target police and health services.”

“It’s time for Mr Springborg and Mr Nicholls to come clean with the people of Queensland and reveal their infrastructure hit list.

“If a kids hospital worth more than a billion dollars isn’t safe, nothing is. What else is on the Springborg/Nicholls infrastructure hit list?”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868