ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

The Prime Minister has announced northwest Tasmania’s ageing hospital and healthcare facilities are going to be replaced by a state-of-the-art hospital.

Scott Morrison made the announcement just hours after Senator for Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie, sided with the Coalition to repeal the controversial but ultimately humanitarian medevac law that saw offshore refugees be taken to the mainland for medical treatment.

However, the Prime Minister told our reporters this afternoon that this announcement has nothing to do with Senator Lambie helping his government roll back one of the only concessions it gave to refugees.

“No, this is not pork barrelling,” he said.

“The funds for this new hospital facility have been earmarked since we took power. I know what you’re trying to do and it’s not going to work.”

When quizzed on where the money was coming from and how much was being spent, the Prime Minister laughed and said the funds are coming from the same place most new infrastructure projects on the east coast get their funding from.

“GST from Western Australia,” he laughed.

“As for how much? We haven’t worked that out yet. But it’ll be a fair bit. Ok, thank you, guys. That’s all from me!”

The Advocate reached out to Jacqui Lambie’s office for comment but have yet to receive a reply.

More to come.