Media Releases

27 June 2025

I congratulate Michael Regan MP and the NSW Government on the passage of the Northern Beaches Hospital (Voluntary Contract Termination) Bill 2025. This is a crucial step towards returning the Northern Beaches Hospital to public hands and restoring confidence in our public health system.  

The bill provides the legal mechanism for the NSW Government to exit the troubled public-private partnership with Healthscope and begin the process of returning the Northern Beaches Hospital to full public ownership. It ensures that, should current negotiations between Healthscope and the NSW Government fail, the government retains the authority to act decisively and terminate the contract – without conferring an undue financial windfall to the private operator.

This legislation was developed in direct response to the deep community concerns raised over many years, and confirmed by the NSW Auditor-General’s report, which found that the hospital had failed to meet clinical standards, remains poorly integrated into the wider health system, and has not addressed serious patient safety risks.

I want to acknowledge and thank the many community members who bravely came forward to share their experiences. Their willingness to relive painful and often traumatic events has helped push for long-overdue change. Your voices have been heard.

While this bill is a major milestone, there is still important work ahead and it will take some time to ensure a smooth and effective transition to public ownership.

In my role as the Federal Member for Warringah, I have had ongoing communication with both Healthscope and the NSW government to voice serious concerns about the failings of the public/private model and have strongly advocated for improved patient services and staff support to address the many issues. Much of which is included in my recent submission to the NSW Public Inquiry into the Safety and quality of health services  provided by Northern Beaches Hospital.

I remain firmly committed to advocating for a hospital that is effective, publicly accountable, and responsive to the needs of our community – one that delivers high-quality care and fosters safe, respectful working conditions for its staff. I will continue to work with all levels of government to support this process.

Access to safe, high-quality public healthcare for the Northern Beaches Community must be a priority – and this is a strong step in the right direction. I will continue to work with all levels of government to support this process.