NSW Labor’s Health Hypocrisy

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward  has slammed the NSW Labor Government for voting against keeping David Berry Hospital in public hands. The David Berry Hospital Amendment (Prohibition of Sale) Bill 2024 aimed to protect David Berry Hospital from privatisation and keep it within the public health system.

Whist the NSW Labor Government had said they would support keeping David Berry Hospital in public hands, every Labor Party Member voted to do the opposite.

“Labor’s refusal to support this bill is a slap in the face to our community and to David Berry’s legacy. The people of Berry have made it clear they want this hospital preserved, yet the Labor Government, in particular the Minister for Health are ignoring their calls,” Mr Ward said following the vote.

“The government’s unwillingness to back the bill raises concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting the site.

“The Member for South Coast should hang her head in shame for voting against our community. People need to know that Liza Butler would rather side with her Party in Macquarie Street rather than her community on this important issue. Even the Greens MPs voted with me to protect this site.

“I don’t trust this Labor Government and its commitment to keep David Berry Hospital in public hands in now in tatters.

“By voting against this bill, Labor has shown they’d rather play politics than protect David Berry Hospital.

“This vote was not about politics, it’s about doing what the community asked for by preserving a facility that has provided palliative care and rehabilitation services to so many. These members of the NSW Labor Government, including the Member for South Coast, should hang their collective heads in shame,” Mr Ward concluded.