15/9/2009

Rees breaks promise to pay Tweed Hospital bills

“...Tweed seniors don't have the option of not paying Labor's higher energy bills...”

Senate Budget estimates on Tuesday confirmed the North Coast Area Health Service has held back paying a total of $7.4 million to mainly small business suppliers, despite a year-old promise by Premier Nathan Rees that the practice would end.

Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest said he had asked the Premier during Question Time on 28 October 2008 about unpaid bills to small business creditors of the Tweed Hospital.

Mr Rees said: “I expect the area health services to pay their bills on time and to manage within their budgets. That is critical in making sure that our public health facilities have the supplies they need. The current situation of late payments is being addressed, and I have made it clear I want it addressed quickly.” (source: NSW Parliamentary Hansard)

Mr Provest said he had taken the Premier at his word and was very disappointed Tweed small businesses were being ripped off by the Labor administration.

“Only last week, I spoke on a motion Labor put up for debate in Parliament congratulating itself for supporting jobs in regional New South Wales,” Mr Provest

“However, failing to pay bills to Tweed small businesses already struggling in a very difficult economic climate is going to lead to local people losing their jobs.”

“Recently, hospitals in the west of the State had to stop serving meat to patients because Labor wasn't paying the butchers – it would be a disaster if that occurred in the Tweed.”

“I understand the Government has got itself into a financial mess. But many Tweed seniors are struggling with Labor's higher power and petrol costs, but they don't have the option of not paying.”

“I call on the Premier and his latest Health Minister to honour the contracts the Government has entered into with Tweed small business,” Mr Provest concluded.