The Liberal Opposition is calling on the Premier to come clean on when the position for Project Director of the new Women’s and Children Hospital $3.2 billion megaproject will be filled, after being left vacant for several months.
The vacancy of the position has raised serious concerns regarding the delivery of this critical project, noting the recent failure of the Proton Therapy contract under this Government’s watch.
The Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said yet again the Malinauskas Government has little understanding of projects of this nature.
“This is a major project and one of the most important roles, that of Project Manager, is vacant,” he said.
Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, Heidi Girolamo MLC, asked the CEO of the Department for Health and Wellbeing, Dr Robyn Lawrence when the former Project Director had left the role.
The CHAIRPERSON: Is that problematic, given the significance of the project? You
have now got someone acting in a role who has already got a lot of other responsibilities as well. I assume that's concerning to you as chief executive.
Dr LAWRENCE: Certainly, we are seeking to replace that very important position
as quickly as we can; however, we have the Department for Infrastructure and Transport working very closely with us and we have an extensive team in the background. These projects can't be dependent on one single person and that whole team is keeping the project moving, under Judith's leadership, with significant support from the department of infrastructure that obviously has the expertise in building buildings. We have the expertise in providing the input.
…
The CHAIRPERSON: When did Brendan Hewitt leave the role?
Dr LAWRENCE: A few months ago.
The CHAIRPERSON: A few months ago? Are you able to provide an exact date?
Dr LAWRENCE: Not here I can't, but yes we can on notice.
The CHAIRPERSON: When did you engage the recruitment agency?
Dr LAWRENCE: Probably about four weeks ago we actually got the recruiter on
board.
Ms Judith Formston, the Deputy CE of Department for Health and Wellbeing is acting Project Manager for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
“The new hospital is classified as a megaproject, the Labor Government is planning to spend $3.2 billion dollars of taxpayer money on it, without a dedicated Project Director. This is extremely concerning,” said Ms Girolamo.
“The former project director quit several months ago, and they only began the recruitment process four weeks ago. Why the delay?
This comes off the back of concerns raised by the Auditor General that this Government had no experience in a project of this magnitude, describing projects that cost over $1 billion as megaprojects.
The Auditor General said in his Annual Report the SA government has limited experience in managing and delivering projects of the scale and the complexity of the new Women's and Children's Hospital.
These major and complex infrastructure projects lead to increased risk for the SA Government’s capital program. Infrastructure Australia has noted across jurisdictions that high-value projects are more at risk of failing to achieve cost and time estimates than lower value projects.
