Hospital tops MP's wish list

Monday, June 2, 2008

CAIRNS MP Desley Boyle wants money for the hospital, bigger and better classrooms and a second Queensland Transport office.

But she will not know until tomorrow morning, when the State Budget is handed down, if her wish list will be funded.

Ms Boyle told The Cairns Post she was pushing for the State Government to allocate money to the expansion of the Cairns Base Hospital.

"I don’t think we should wait for the airport sale for that to happen," she said.

The member for Cairns said she also hoped for a second Queensland Transport office to take the pressure off the Kenny St customer service centre.

"The office is so busy, particularly around lunchtime," Ms Boyle said.

She also had requested money to upgrade schools and expand classrooms for state schools and the TAFE college and to reseal stretches of Mulgrave Rd and the intersection of Pease St and Reservoir Rd.

While the exact details of the allocations for the Mulgrave electorate were also not known the seat’s MP, Warren Pitt, said there were several projects he hoped would be in the Budget.

"For example, I’d like to see funding for the Yarrabah health centre and also for the next stage of the Isabella State School," he said.

Mr Pitt said with last weekend’s commitment to the multi-million-dollar education and training precinct at Innisfail, he was expecting the first package of funds to be confirmed.

"I also want money for more passing lanes on the Bruce Highway between Innisfail and Cairns and progress on the step-down facility for Gordonvale Hospital and further improvement in ambulance capacity at Yarrabah," he said.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall declined to comment on what he hoped the Budget would bring for his electorate.

"I am looking forward to the Treasurer’s announcement," he said.

"I am sure there will be a strong package for regional Queensland."

Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said he wanted to see money for the Peninsula Development Rd, building on similar announcements by the Federal Government.

He said money was needed for hospital and school maintenance and child safe houses and related offices.

With money required to rebuild flood-ravaged parts of Central Queensland, Mr O’Brien said he was "not overly optimistic" of large spending in the region.

Tablelands MP Rosa Lee Long said she hoped there would be money for health.

<strong> Health hopes:</strong> Ms Boyle wants the State Government to allocate money to the expansion of the Cairns Base Hospital.

Health hopes: Ms Boyle wants the State Government to allocate money to the expansion of the Cairns Base Hospital.

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