SAVE Albury Wodonga Health is expecting a pre-election promise of a $5 million cardiac laboratory to be delivered in tonight’s federal budget.
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The lab, to be located at Albury hospital, was the biggest election commitment made on the Border in the lead-up to last September’s poll.
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley and former member for Indi Sophie Mirabella secured the promise if the Coalition won office.
Save Albury Wodonga Health spokesperson Liz Hare last night remained optimistic the money would be forthcoming, despite predictions of a tough first-up budget.
“Every day you a hear a different story about what is going to happen with the budget,” she said.
“We haven’t been told of any delays.
“It will be another election promise gone if it’s not there.
“We are hopeful, but we don’t know.”
Late last year the cardiac lab funding was listed among estimated payments to supporting state health services this financial year.
It was alongside a $4.5 million upgrade of the Ballina hospital and $10 million for a Warrnambool cancer centre.
Ms Ley said she couldn’t guarantee the money for the cardiac lab would be forthcoming tonight.
“Locally I expect all our election commitments to be met, but again those exact details are for budget night,” she said.
“Voters expect the Coalition to deliver the basic functions of government.
“Things like helping create jobs and job security, funding for health, building and fixing up our roads and, in my portfolio, things like helping pay for the cost of childcare.
“We can’t do that properly if we don’t tackle the level of debt and deficit we inherited.”