By Bella Fitzpatrick
The CFMEU has been pushing for greater commitments by the McGowan government to new Western Australian construction projects. Every one helps the local construction industry and our workers recover from the disruption of the pandemic.
The CFMEU has been campaigning for a new Women’s Hospital for a long time to support Western Australian women and families. Our community deserves these new state-of-the-art facilities. And West Australian workers deserve the well-paid jobs and stability that this long term project will provide.
This win shows how important it is for the union to work with and lobby governments and ensure our voices are heard and to make sure workers get a say in the running of our State.
The McGowan Government has already allocated $1.8 billion into a special hospital construction fund.
The new Women and Babies Hospital will most likely be built in the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre near other major hospital facilities like the Perth Children’s Hospital. King Edward Memorial Hospital served our state for the past century. In replacing it, the new hospital will provide obstetric and birthing suites and specialist services to support Western Australian families for the next century.
An estimated 1 in 5 Western Australians were born at King Eddies and the hospital will always hold a place in our hearts. However its facilities are aged and becoming more outdated every year. We all know it’s time for an upgrade.
Health Minister Roger Cook has said that despite the status of King Edward Memorial Hospital as an “icon of the health system” it was now “very old”.
“Many people will be sad to see it go, but the good thing is we’ll be able to transition into the best women’s and babies’ hospital in Australia and probably the world.”
Work is estimated to begin in 2023 and will provide more than 1,400 jobs for CFMEU members and West Australian construction workers.
CFMEU State Secretary Mick Buchan has welcomed the announcement.
“This new project was campaigned for by the union and will bring fantastic benefits to our members, their families and the Western Australian community.”
“The McGowan Government’s plan for a new Women and Children’s hospital will provide strong and secure jobs and the union couldn’t be happier.”
“There’s never been a better time to get in the union and stand together to make sure every construction worker in WA has access to well-paid secure jobs.”