Responding to reporters during a visit to Newcastle, Berejiklian insisted that “all options” remain on the table for the scheme, despite NSW health minister Brad Hazzard saying earlier this year that the project would not be delivered as a PPP – instead suggesting a not-for-profit entity could be engaged.
Berejiklian added that a PPP “would deliver us a bigger hospital, no doubt about it”, although she admitted that it is up to the local community if it doesn't want that approach.
Hazzard cancelled the PPP route for three hospital projects earlier this year and in August came under pressure to scrap the model for the Shellharbour scheme – which is currently the only project from an original list of five to still be classed as PPP.
NSW Premier: PPP would mean bigger Maitland hospital
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has refused to confirm whether the Maitland hospital deal will progress as a PPP – but did suggest the model would provide a bigger facility.