I proudly stood in Parliament on the day Peel Health Campus transitioned back into public hands, and I asked the Minister for Health about the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to bringing Peel Health Campus back into public ownership after its privatization by the Liberal and National Parties, and how this relates to the ongoing redevelopment of the campus.

The Minister for Health, Ms. Amber Jade Sanderson, confirmed that Peel Health Campus is now under state control, marking a significant achievement for the Peel and Mandurah communities. The transition has been successful, with 95% of existing staff choosing to remain in the public system, reflecting their support for WA’s public healthcare. This government has honoured their existing entitlements and a range of enhanced entitlements in working for the public sector. They will get an additional four weeks of parental leave, enhanced casual loading, 13 weeks long service leave, paid family and domestic violence leave, and superannuation on up to 12 weeks unpaid parental leave and their existing entitlements will be recognised and transferred over.

The Minister highlighted that our government’s focus on public health includes; enhanced worker entitlements and ongoing redevelopment plans more inpatient and mental health beds, a palliative care hospice, a mental health emergency centre, an additional operating theatre, chemotherapy places, and expanded outpatient services. Importantly, private healthcare access through Ramsay Health Care will continue, offering the community important choices.

We have worked hard to fix those mistakes and Ramsay stepped in at the last minute to help resolve many of those issues. We have done what the community asked us to do—that is, bring it back into public hands.