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Labor’s Wonthaggi Hospital promise remains unfunded, with rising demand and worsening regional wait timesLabor’s Wonthaggi Hospital promise remains unfunded, with rising demand, longer emergency wait times and delayed upgrades despite growing Bass Coast population pressures. By news@gippsland - 6th May 2026 - Back to News On the eve of the 2022 election, Labor promised $290 million to complete Stages 2 and 3 of Wonthaggi Hospital to service the Bass Coast. Four years later this remains unfulfilled and unfunded. A new birthing complex, expanded outpatient services and additional beds have failed to materialise. Labor refuses to provide a timeline for construction and delivery. 
The 2026/27 Budget confirms Wonthaggi Hospital stages 2 and 3 remain unfunded and delayed, with services pushed to 2030 amid criticism of broader spending priorities Hospital demand risingDemand on the hospital is increasing. Bass Coast is one of Victoria’s fastest growing regional communities, with the population expected to more than double by 2031. Between 2019-20 and 2024-25, emergency department demand at Wonthaggi Hospital increased by 27 percent. Over the same period, the proportion of patients treated within recommended times fell from 86 per cent to 70 percent. Patients today wait on average two and a half hours longer in an emergency, while births in the region have risen by 66 percent. Hospital funding failuresThese figures are not a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of under-resourced hospital staff. They are a direct reflection of Labor’s broken promises, spin and financial mismanagement. The 2026/27 State Budget has confirmed the Wonthaggi Hospital stage 2 and 3 upgrade is unfunded and indefinitely delayed. It also reveals Labor’s latest Wonthaggi hospital announcement for medical imaging, pharmacy and pathology made last month will not be delivered until 2030. At the same time, Labor has disgracefully wasted $15 billion on big build union corruption - money that could have built 18 large regional hospitals, funded thousands of nurses and eased pressure on the state’s struggling health services. Wonthaggi, and the entire Bass Coast community deserve answers from the Allan Government, not more disingenuous spin and unfunded announcements. Pictures from Brett Tessari for Bass Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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