Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, today came to Picton to support the efforts of local residents who have been campaigning to guarantee the future of the Queen Victoria Memorial Home, Liberal candidate for Wollondilly Sharryn Hilton said today. 

“The future of Queen Victoria has been a significant issue for the people of Wollondilly for a long time, but after twelve years the Labor Government continues to refuse to guarantee its future,” Ms Hilton said.

“Despite numerous letters and requests for meetings over the past two years, the Queen Victoria Support Committee has been completely ignored by the Labor Minister.

“The Iemma/Costa Labor Government must come clean about their future plans for Queen Victoria.

“The Labor Government and the Labor candidate must explain to local residents why they have refused to guarantee the site will continue to be used for health services,” Ms Hilton said.

Earlier this year, the Queen Victoria Support Committee committee received a letter from the Health Minister’s Parliamentary Secretary which raised serious concerns about the future of the site.

It said: ‘Current planning parameters appear to indicate that part of the land will be used for aged care and related health services. However, other development opportunities may exist and should not be precluded should they meet planning requirements.’
 
“The Labor Government has refused to rule out exploiting the site for financial gain, and continues to ignore the needs of the local community.
 
“The community’s commitment to saving this site is unquestionable, but they continue to be ignored by the arrogant and out of touch Iemma/Costa Labor Government.
 
“The Labor Government must come clean about their plans for Queen Victoria, rule out commercial and residential development, and only explore health-related services on this important local site,” Ms Hilton concluded.