What has emerged from the Fair Work court battle between the state government and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union is that all isn’t as great with the Bendigo Hospital project as Victorian Health Minister David Davis has worked hard to have us believe.

It was an interesting exercise yesterday reading back through Bendigo Advertiser stories involving Mr Davis speaking on the hospital tender process.

Publicly, he’s remained true and committed to the “everything’s fine” line.

Last May, Mr Davis’ media spokesman declared the new hospital site would be ready for construction by the end of 2012. In November the minister said the project was on time and proceeding smoothly.

On December 19 last year he said the tender process was proceeding in the way it was intended. On December 21 he said the process was proceeding “steadily and relentlessly”.

On December 27 Mr Davis said the project was on track but announced a surprise new phase in the tender process.

On January 18 this year he declared he was “very proud of the progress with the Bendigo Hospital”.

On April 2 Mr Davis said: “Just to be quite clear, we’re obviously very happy with the way the tender itself is proceeding.’’ Oh, wait, privately Mr Davis was writing to then Premier Ted Baillieu on December 24 last year to highlight “possible delays” and “outstanding issues” with the process.

On top of that everyone must wait until late next week for a court outcome which could mean more time is needed for a decision. Mr Davis... can you appreciate why this community is nervous and confused??