Government Must Deliver on Local Jobs for New Maitland Hospital Build

BY TANIA SALITRA

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison is applying pressure on the Government to deliver local jobs in the construction of the new Maitland Hospital including apprentices, indigenous people and women to be employed on the construction, in a bid to keep skills in the Hunter. 

This comes after Maitland companies raised concerns they could be excluded from the development with the NSW Government appointing Multiplex Constructions to build the $470 million facility in Metford.

With the hospital originally promised in early 2011, unemployment has since risen from 5% to a peak of 12% further highlighting the need for local jobs to be considered.

MP Jenny Aitchinson says she will be writing to Minister for Health Brad Hazzard asking him to stay true to the Government's commitment in training the next generation, acknowledging community concerns due to the Berejiklian-Barilaro State Government's poor track record on local jobs after outsourcing train manufacturing to Korea.

"The NSW Government must ensure that local tradespeople and especially young people seeking employment are given a fair chance to participate in this project. The New Maitland Hospital is the single biggest public infrastructure investment by the State in Maitland and there should be a significant boost for the city" said MP Jenny Aitchison.