By Olivia Condous
The United Australia Party (UAP) has pledged to guarantee the proposed Melton Hospital will be funded and built if the party wins the federal seats of Hawke and Gorton.
UAP candidate for Hawke Andrew Cuthbertson said the Gorton and Hawke electorates had experienced large population growth in recent years but no new public facilities and services to meet increasing demand.
“Melton is one of the fastest growing communities in Australia and deserves a world class 24-hour hospital,’’ Mr Cuthbertson said.
“These electorates and seats are considered safe Labor strongholds and neither major parties are interested in spending taxpayer’s funds anywhere other than those they marginally hold or think they can win.
“As a result, the people of Melton and Brimbank councils and surrounding areas are forced to travel to Sunshine, Footscray, Werribee, or the Royal Melbourne hospitals to receive emergency medical treatment.
“These electorates have experienced massive population growth in recent years but sadly the essential public facilities and services have been ignored. Melton is one of the fastest-growing communities in Australia &and deserves a world-class 24-hour hospital.”
The state government is in the process of acquiring land for the hospital, while the state opposition has vowed to commence construction within 12 months of the Victorian election if it wins government.
The party also pledged upgrades to the Western and Calder Highways in order to prevent traffic issues for city commuters.
UAP candidate for Gorton Michael Virag said the road link between Melbourne and Ballarat was an important gateway to agriculture, regional tourism and manufacturing services.
“A duplication upgrade to double four lanes in each direction between Melbourne and regional cities is essential,’’ he said.
The party stated that these projects will be funded and start work within three years if United Australia Party candidates win the Hawke and Gorton seats in the upcoming federal election.
