Labor’s Jacinta Allan alleges that the Coalition government has changed local content requirements for the Bendigo hospital project (letters, November 17).
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Her allegations are totally false and irresponsibly mislead the people of Bendigo. The specified local content level for the Bendigo Hospital project has been set at 90 per cent. This has not been changed by the Coalition. Ms Allan implies that under the Labor government the local content rules would have preserved jobs for Bendigo-based companies and workers. This is not the case. When Labor was in government, “local” was effectively defined as Australia and New Zealand under the Victorian Industry Participation Policy. This meant steel or equipment for the hospital project manufactured in Auckland, New Zealand would also be considered “local”. The Coalition government is constructively working with both major bidders for the hospital project to assist them to maximise opportunities for local businesses.
Peter Ryan,
Deputy Premier of Victoria,
Minister for Regional Development
