Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
BENDIGO state labor MP Jacinta Allan says the leadership crisis taking over the Victorian government is a concern for the development of the new Bendigo Hospital.
The project is already delayed after one of the tenders, Lend Lease, was banned due to a Baillieu government crackdown on union-friendly deals.
Ms Allan said stability was needed.
“The new Premier Denis Napthine has been a senior member of the government that has overseen a shambolic tender process and significant delays to our new hospital,” she said.
“With the new hospital months behind schedule and the tender process in disarray the project needs stability and certainty. Central Victorians are getting neither at the moment from the Liberal National Government.”
Meanwhile Victorians are no closer to knowing why former premier Ted Baillieu quit his post – or how his successor will be any different.
Denis Napthine, a former Kennett government minister and Liberal party leader, would only say that his "close personal friend" felt he had lost the support of the party room.
He said it was for others to judge why Mr Baillieu lost support and how he would be different as leader.
But Dr Napthine said it was "not my interpretation" that the resignation of Frankston MP Geoff Shaw on Wednesday had forced Mr Baillieu to quit.
"Ted Baillieu was not knifed. Ted made a decision of his own volition to step down as leader of the Liberal Party," he said in an interview on radio station 3AW on Thursday morning.
"It was his decision ... I don't comment on what happens in the party room."
Dr Napthine said he chose to run late on Wednesday afternoon while in discussions with Mr Baillieu.
"The decision has been made, at 20 past 10 last night I was sworn in as the 47th premier of the state; this is a great honour for me," he said.
"I will roll up my sleeves and get on with the job ... to provide strong, decisive and good government for the people of Victoria.
"I will certainly lead into the next election."
Dr Napthine signalled his intention to have "positive negotiation" with the Australian Education Union over the ongoing pay dispute with teachers, and reaffirmed his support for the state's jumps racing industry.
He said Mr Baillieu would continue to serve as a local member, but would not remain in the cabinet as a minister.
The new Premier said he would sort out the staffing of his office in coming days - and did not make a commitment to Mr Baillieu's chief-of-staff Tony Nutt, who was heard in secretly recorded conversations discussing help for a disgraced former Liberal staffer.
- with The Age