RELATED CONTENT: Hospital future in spotlight
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How do you expect your local member of parliament to behave?
I am not sure all who attended a public meeting in Bowral on Monday night to discuss the public private partnership (PPP) for hospitals were impressed with Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell.
In a hall with standing room only, Mr Rowell was forced to sit down before finishing his presentation after backlash from the audience.
This followed Mr Rowell laughing, shaking his head and cracking jokes with Wingecarribee Shire Councillor Larry Whipper in the front row while passionate residents and Public Health First members, who organised the meeting, were airing their questions and concerns.
Mr Rowell interrupted speaker Gordon Markwart on several occasions, either laughing or saying, “I’m glad you’re not hosting a political meeting.”
Among those in attendance were nurses, doctors, other hospital staff, past patients, Labor MP Stephen Jones, Member for Goulburn Pru Goward and South West Health District representatives.
Mr Rowell did not address the PPP issue other than to say “If this PPP doesn’t deliver a good outcome for the community, then I am not in favour of it. The reality is, we haven't seen what it looks like because it is still several months away before a proposal is presented”.
A promise to fight for more money to fund further upgrades to the Bowral and District Hospital was made to the community by Mr Rowell.
Meeting organiser Edna Carmichael interrupted, saying, “Sorry Jai, you were given time to make an announcement, not to blow your own trumpet.”
Mr Rowell replied, saying, “Okay, I have been gagged.” His announcement was that he had organised a meeting with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard to discuss the Bowral hospital.
During question time at the end of the night, a resident asked a question directly to the local member, who said, “I’ll let the (South West Health District) CEO Amanda (Larkin) answer that so I don’t get gagged again.”
Hearing the passion the community has about the future of their public hospital was moving. A well-spoken high school student who asked about the future of jobs at the hospital is just one speaker who sticks in my mind.
– Emily Barton