By JONATHON HOWARD
MEMBER for Noosa Glen Elmes MP has addressed several “mistruths” made by his election opponents in the race towards 31 January polling day – one of the fastest State Government elections on record.
Mr Elmes said in a letter addressed to Noosa Today that it was “high time the mistruths we have read over the past months are corrected”.
Mr Elmes was referring to comments made in the media by both Greens candidate for Noosa Joe Shlegeris and ALP candidate for Noosa Mark Denham.
Mr Elmes said Mr Denham had criticised the LNP government for not following through with the “promised Eumundi-Road upgrade”.
“I will reiterate previous advice circulated through all media outlets that the government spent $6.5 million this term in completely re-sealing the worst section of this road,” he said.
“Just prior to Christmas, again through all media outlets, I announced that a further $2.5 million would be spent to re-seal the next section of road from Grays Road to Justin Road, with work to commence immediately after the current school holiday period, weather- permitting.
“Additional repair work on the road is currently being carried out at the Eumundi end of the road, having commenced prior to Christmas.”
Mr Elmes has also addressed Mr Shlegeris’ concerns around the alleged closure of the Noosa Hospital.
Mr Elmes said Queensland Health would continue its negotiations to operate the Noosa Hospital with Ramsay Health and possibly other health providers who may be interested in taking on the contract.
“What they have not told you is that the current contract for the Noosa Hospital, with Ramsay Health, is in place until 2020, which is when the Ramsay contract expires,” he said.
“Failing that, as has always been known, the hospital will revert to the ownership of Queensland Health.”
But Mr Elmes has also gone one better to assure Noosa residents of the continuation of the Noosa Hospital with a statement of support issued from Minister for Health Lawrence Springborg.
Mr Springborg said the LNP will now commit another 10 years to the current contract.
“The LNP will commit to a further 10 years of public health services through to 2030, providing 15 more years of certainty for Noosa Hospital,” Mr Springborg said.
“This has been achieved through disciplined economic management.”
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