Tamworth-based Nationals MLC Trevor Khan slammed the Government for its failure to confirm the start date and has lodged applications under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act with the Hunter New England Health Service, as well as NSW Health and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

“The Iemma Labor Government needs to come out with facts, not spin, and show the people of the Tamworth region that they are fair dinkum about their promise,” Mr Khan said.

“That is why I will continue to seek answers on how, when and where the new facility will be constructed.

Commenting on the number of FOI applications he said, “The wider the net, the more likely we are to obtain the answers.

“That is why I have asked all three agencies to provide a clear and satisfactory amount of information for dissemination into the public sphere.”

Mr Khan said the question the Government must answer was: “Will they provide the information sought and share what they know with the people of the Tamworth region, or will they demand exorbitant amounts of money to provide or stop that information reaching the people?

“These FOIs have thrown the ball directly into the Government’s court and I eagerly await their response,” Mr Khan said.

Meanwhile the Tamworth branch of The Nationals put three motions concerning the fate of the hospital promise and general health management to the annual general meeting of the party’s central council on the weekend.

All motions were passed and included condemnation of the Government for “its comprehensive mismanagement of the State’s hospital and health system and that conference note major examples of that mismanagement such as the failure to provide budgets for

hospital redevelopments like

Tamworth”.

The Tamworth branch also called for access to oncology and radiotherapy services to be more readily accessible to towns and regional cities, including Tamworth, Dubbo, Lismore and Tweed Heads.