IF THE State’s mini-budget was the cloud that descended over the planned Tamworth hospital redevelopment, then the Commonwealth’s announcement it would not be replacing state funds has emerged as the downpour that appears to have washed all hope away.

Federal Minister for Health Nicola Roxon said on Wednesday the Commonwealth’s health infrastructure fund would not replace State expenditure.

Yesterday, a spokesman for State Health Minister John Della Bosca was unable to tell The Leader whether or not the minister thought the Tamworth project – originally costed at $130 million in March, 2007 – would qualify for Federal funding under the scheme.

Member for Tamworth Peter Draper was ill yesterday and unavailable for comment.

Ms Roxon has said health infrastructure fund projects would have to clear a very high bar.

“There will be a very high threshold looking at how they (the projects) perform, what their contributions might be and making sure we’re not replacing what should be in their (the State Government’s) budget,” Ms Roxon said.

The blow comes just over a week after the State Government announced funding for major health projects was subject to discussions with the Commonwealth.

A spokesman for Mr Della Bosca had said final decisions on all projects, including the Tamworth hospital redevelopment, were subject to

negotiations with the

Commonwealth.

Yesterday a spokesman would not comment on whether or not the Tamworth project was eligible for the Commonwealth funding.

“We’re continuing to negotiate with the Commonwealth about a range of projects,” The Leader was told.

“We’re not identifying which projects we’re

discussing.”

While Mr Della Bosca’s office was unwilling to discuss the status of the project, Tamworth-based MLC Trevor Khan was not.

“The comments made by Federal Minister for Health Nicola Roxon were further nails in the coffin of Labor’s promised Tamworth hospital redevelopment,” he said.

Continued page 2