Labor pledges funds for RPH, Liberal pledges for Tafes

WA Labor says it will spend $45.5 million to bring new services to Royal Perth Hospital if it wins the March state election, while the Liberals say they will use about $83 million from the partial sale of Western Power to build three new Tafe facilities.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan said Labor would build a medihotel, an urgent care clinic and a mental health observation area at the CBD hospital, but did not commit to redeveloping the ageing facility.

“Royal Perth Hospital is one of WA’s most trusted hospitals – however under the Liberals it has been neglected,” he said.

“We will build on existing services to ensure local families get health care when and where they need it.

“The development of an on-site medihotel and urgent care clinic will reduce pressure on the busy emergency department and free up beds in the hospital, reducing wait times in the process.

“We will also turn RPH into an innovation hub with a focus on mental health. The mental health observation area in the RPH emergency department will separate mental health and drug and alcohol patients from general patients.”

As part of Labor’s sustainable health review, Mr McGowan said, the scope of services at RPH would be examined ensure the needs of the patients who lived nearby were met.

Deputy Premier Liza Harvey dismissed Labor's commitment as headline-grabbing and listed off the Liberal Party's big investment in health, including the recent pledge to upgrade the Joondalup Health Campus at a cost of $140 million.

She also cited Fiona Stanley Hospital and the Perth Children's Hospital, which were both beset by problems including opening delays.

"We've rebuilt and refurbished every hospital facility in this state over the eight years of this government," Ms Harvey told reporters.

Treasurer Mike Nahan told AAP in May 2015 that the building was “clapped out” and demolishing it was an option, saying a new, modern hospital would be "much more efficient and effective than an old one that's been built in a hodge-podge manner".

Meanwhile, Ms Harvey has announced $83.4 million from the partial sale of Western Power would be used to build three new Tafe facilities across Perth if the Liberal Party was re-elected.

Ms Harvey said the new training centres would be constructed at Peel and Murdoch Tafe campuses, as well as a new campus for Armadale Tafe.

“The partial sale of Western Power will allow us to bring older Tafe colleges up to 21st century standards and stimulate the economy," she said.