Shire of Ashburton, Media Release, 23 April 2024
“Bandages won’t fix broken promises”, is a grassroots campaign led by the Shire of Ashburton, following community demand to get the Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson, to follow through on her election promise to build the new Tom Price Hospital.
The Tom Price community was promised a new hospital on 26 February 2021 as part of the 2021 State Election. The Shire of Ashburton welcomed this commitment, which was boosted by a generous $20 million contribution from Rio Tinto Iron Ore.
The Tom Price community has been patient – but it’s been three years, and enough is enough.
We have reached out on behalf of Tom Price residents and locals, to advocate for the new Tom Price Hospital with no result. Talk is cheap. It’s now time for action.
President Smith, backed by the Ashburton Shire Council, is taking the fight on behalf of the community to the Minister.
“We need that hospital, and we need it now. Everyone should have access to basic medical facilities, and the Tom Price community is tired of waiting.
“Reluctantly, we have now commenced a campaign to hold the Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson accountable and deliver on her promise. In 2021, we were promised $12.8 million, and we are yet to see a shovel of dirt.
“Considering we contribute over $36 billion to the State’s economy, it is now time to take action. The campaign, Bandages Won’t Fix Broken Promises, aims to bring awareness to Tom Price of what we are lacking and what is a necessity for a regional town – adequate medical facilities,” stated President Smith.
You will soon see newspaper, radio, social media and mobile billboard advertisements drawing attention to the issues our local community faces when it comes to healthcare.
We demand accountability from the Minister for Health. It’s time for Amber-Jade Sanderson to fulfill her promise so that families aren’t torn apart, with children being raised in hospitals while their mothers sleep on beds 1500 kilometres away from home, deprived of the security and comfort of their own surroundings because necessary care isn’t available in their hometown.
Minister, can you imagine how it feels for a child to spend half their life in a metropolitan hospital, separated from their siblings and family? What kind of childhood is that?
Our community has voiced its concerns, and we have heard them loud and clear. The new Tom Price Hospital must be delivered without further delay.
