11/07/2026
Letter to to editor, published today 🙌🧡
“I write in response to Allan Murphy’s opinion piece published on Saturday 4th July 2026 where he criticised Build the Base Community Campaign Inc. for taking a “glass half empty” view of the Coalition’s decision to wipe $570 million off its funding promise to Mildura Base Public Hospital (MBPH).
We admit we are disappointed, and we suspect some members of the Coalition would be too.
At a recent MBPH Foundation fundraiser, National Party Member for Mallee, Anne Webster, praised the community of Wodonga for refusing to accept a “brownfields” upgrade to its existing hospital, and for insisting that only a new build would do. Anne implored the Mildura community to do the same.
We can assume Anne is disappointed by the downgraded promise in Mildura.
And spare a thought for National Party Member for Mildura, Jade Benham. At the 2022 State Election, the Coalition’s promise of a $750 million new MBPH helped get her elected.
We can assume she would be at least as disappointed as Anne.
The difference between them and us is that we will call it for what it is, and they will keep their heads down.
They will be grateful for what they are given. They will toe the party line. What Allan Murphy might characterise as a “glass half full” attitude, is probably better described as party discipline.
Unlike Anne and Jade, Build the Base doesn’t answer to party bosses. We’re under no obligation to stand by a microphone with a smile on our face as our community’s core infrastructure needs are spectacularly de-prioritised
While National Party MPs and their supporters will rally to justify and legitimise whatever the Coalition says, we will speak for the community.
And in that spirit, to avoid any ambiguity, let’s be very clear: the Coalition’s recent hospital announcement was no minor policy tweak. It was a complete backflip on a signature promise.
Their excuses are inadequate, because they are based on factors that were known, or reasonably foreseeable, in 2022 when a $750 million gold-plated hospital was - according to them - entirely achievable and justified.
Their backflip - less than 5 months out from a consequential state election - is a devastating setback for patients and hard-working hospital staff in our region.
We’re not saying Labor is any better. A $180 million commitment is preferable to no commitment at all. And if Labor wants to criticise the Coalition’s promise, it should make a better offer.
But it is wrong to describe our criticism of the Coalition’s decision as point-scoring.
It’s called advocacy.
And – unlike others - we are grateful for the opportunity to express our views without fear, favour or hypocrisy.”
Stephen Parr, Build the Base Community Campaign Inc.
