21 Aug 2014

Pledge to rebuild Dunedin Hospital

8:04 pm on 21 August 2014

Labour leader David Cunliffe says the party would invest $250 million into rebuilding Dunedin Hospital as part of plan for the city and Otago in a speech this afternoon.

Dunedin Hospital.

Photo: RNZ

Mr Cunliffe said, if elected on 20 September, Labour would keep the Invermay Agresearch Centre open, and reopen and upgrade the Hillside engineering workshop.

Labour would also reverse what he says is years of neglect by the National Government, which has allowed the hospital deteriorate to such an extent that operations have had to be cancelled.

"We know that Dunedin Hospital has been neglected and quality of care has been compromised by poor quality surroundings and under-resourcing.

"That is why I'm proud to announce that Labour is committed to upgrading Dunedin Hospital with work beginning in our first term."

Mr Cunliffe said Labour would also create 3000 more jobs in Otago by the end of its first term through its Economic Upgrades for forestry, manufacturing, fisheries, information technology and small businesses.

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