Snelling admits private sector “interest” in Repat site
The State Government has had “informal” approaches from private organisations eager to redevelop the Repatriation General Hospital site.
That’s despite repeated assurances this week that the site is “not for sale”.
At a media conference this week to spruik “Transforming Health” plans to upgrade the nearby Flinders Medical Centre, Labor backbencher Nat Cook insisted there was “no plan to sell off any real estate” because “this is not a money-grubbing exercise”.
But Health Minister Jack Snelling told parliament yesterday he had already been approached by private operators about alternate uses for the land.
“A couple of organisations have informally raised an interest with me,” he said.
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“It has been a couple of organisations who have very informally spoken to me and simply raised an interest in the future of the site, nothing more than that.”
Under questioning from Liberal deputy Vickie Chapman, Snelling said he “made very clear to them that with regard to future use of the Repat a process will have to be put in place”.
“Once the Government has arrived at that process we will be happy to advise them of it,” he said.
The admission appears to contradict an assurance to the House yesterday by Veterans’ Affairs Minister – and MP for the Waite electorate in which the Repat is located – Martin Hamilton-Smith, who said: “As far as I know, the Repat site is not up for sale.”
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“I don’t think I’ve had any contact from any associations about the sale of anything at the Repat site,” Hamilton-Smith said.
However, he does “expect we will see the private health facilities possibly even expanded into some of the modern spaces there”.
“Personally, I would love to see some retirement homes there for veterans to use so that the character of the site is retained,” he said.
Asked if he would oppose any potential sell-off, he replied: “I will vote for whatever is best for veterans’ health.”
The Transforming Health document released this week states the site “will be earmarked for healthcare, ageing and community-related purposes”.
“The Government will explore opportunities with community groups for the future use of the site, including the pool,” it reads.
Chapman also quizzed the Health Minister about private sector interest in the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre site, to which Snelling replied: “I wouldn’t know.”
“I haven’t had anyone speak to me in particular,” he said. “I imagine Renewal SA would take responsibility for the process, but it certainly wouldn’t be appropriate for me.”
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