Grant Howe Speaks Out

Grant Howe, a cancer survivor who stood alongside Premier Jeremy Rockliff during the 2025 funding announcement, is disappointed with the government's decision. He was undergoing treatment for throat and neck cancer at the time and was promised a better future for the people of Burnie. The government initially promised to provide better healthcare options for Burnie's residents.

'To be able to give and afford that choice to people and to ensure that everyone gets the very best chance of the best treatment and early interventions as possible … the investment in Burnie would've been amazing to do that, and so it's a little bit disappointing to hear that that's at this stage on the back burner,' Mr. Howe told the ABC.

### Premier Rockliff's Response

Premier Rockliff has responded to the criticism, stating that the government is committed to delivering the North West Hospitals Masterplan. However, the budget papers reveal that the project is only possible if they secure Australian Government funding.

### Labor's Investigation

Labor's Treasury spokesperson, Dean Winter, raised the issue of North West Regional Hospital funding in question time yesterday. He asked Treasurer Eric Abetz, 'Can you tell the house where in the budget we can find the funding for the full North West Hospitals masterplan, as promised at last year's election?' The question appeared to be met with some confusion from the Treasurer, who was unable to provide an answer as he flipped through a briefing document in front of him.

### Funding Details

The cost of the project's stage one is listed as $73.9 million, split equally between the state and federal funds. Although the budget papers do not mention any new funding allocated for the project. Instead, they detail the $73.9 million for stage one as a shared cost between the state and federal governments. Furthermore, the budget papers highlight the existing funding allocated for projects at the NWRH, which totals $67 million - a $10 million increase from the previously announced cost.

### Reaction from the Community

Burnie Mayor Teeny Brumby welcomed continued commitments to upgrades at the North West Regional Hospital, citing the mental health precinct and the emergency ward expansion. Mayor Brumby believes these upgrades will greatly benefit the community.

### The North West Hospitals Masterplan

The North West Hospitals Masterplan is a 20-year vision to transform healthcare and meet the future needs of the community. Stage one involves existing announcements for a mental health precinct and an expanded emergency department. It is clear that the masterplan aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the community's growing healthcare needs.

### Funding Timeline

The government has promised to secure a funding partnership with the federal Labor government, but without any leadership from Canberra, they will lock in funding to provide certainty to the north-west and ensure these important projects are delivered. However, the government's decision to allocate funds for existing projects but not the new funding announced has left patients worried about their future.