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Roxon steps in to save Redcliffe super clinic with an additional $3.2 million funding.
The federal government will spend an extra $3.2 million to make sure a problem-plagued GP Super Clinic in Brisbane's northern suburbs can open its doors in 2012.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon said yesterday the Commonwealth would pay the outstanding bills due to the builder, Constructions Group, so work could recommence in late October.
"Recognising the unique circumstances of this project the Commonwealth has agreed to provide up to $3.2 million to enable the Redcliffe GP Super Clinic to be completed," Roxon said in a statement.
"Construction will be completed in the coming months with the doors to open in 2012."
The federal government had already allocated $10 million to the Redcliffe clinic.
The not-for-profit Redcliffe Hospital Foundation is to be stripped of operational responsibilities although it will still "act as the owners and landlords of the facility", Roxon said.
The day-to-day running of the clinic will now be subcontracted to a more experienced organisation.
Federal opposition junior health spokesman Andrew Southcott said Roxon must explain why the $3.2 million bailout was necessary.
"Last week we discovered that the Sorell GP Super Clinic down in Tasmania had been canned and today the minister announces a $3.2 million bailout for Redcliffe," Southcott said in a statement.
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