Member for Farrer Sussan Ley says her Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Victoria’s Department of Health seeking a copy of the Albury Wodonga (hospital) Masterplan has been denied.

“The purpose of this FOI was to flush out details of the Masterplan so the Albury-Wodonga community could actually move forward in the bid to have government fund an upgrade of our local health service.

“Despite being promised that the Masterplan had been completed in November last year, it is apparently ‘still’ being drafted and is now back with Albury Wodonga Health to do more work on the document.

“This is certainly news to me, and I would think news also for the hundreds who turned out at last month’s Better Border Health rally.

“From here, there are two clear steps we need to happen.

“Firstly, the AWH Board need to urgently outline exactly where the Plan for a new hospital is up to.

“And second; a meeting of the two state health ministers needs to occur as soon as possible to reach an in-principle agreement on jointly funding any development. Then we can assess how, if and where the Commonwealth can play a role.

To that end, I’ve already spoken with (NSW Regional Health Minister) Bronnie Taylor’s office asking if a meeting can be arranged with (Vic Health Minister) Minister Foley in coming weeks so that progress can happen without further delay.”