Albanese announces $10 million for Darwin maternity services, dashes hospital hopes

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced $10 million in federal funding to upgrade maternity services at Royal Darwin Hospital, a move welcomed by the Northern Territory government. The grant aims to address increased demand after Darwin Private Hospital closed its maternity ward last year, leaving Royal Darwin Hospital as the sole option for expectant mothers.

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I'm here to announce $10 million for maternity services.

The funding will facilitate refurbishments to existing birthing suites and the maternity ward, including the addition of private bathrooms, a general nursery, a separate bereavement room, and a lactation room in the neonatal intensive care unit. The funds are new money to be allocated in December's mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.

Despite the announcement, Albanese twice deflected questions about federal funding for a new hospital in Darwin. The Northern Territory's health department has been advocating for a new facility since a partial ceiling collapse at the current hospital last November, with former health chief Chris Hosking describing the existing hospital as "literally creaking at the seams."

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Welcoming a baby is such an important part of life and we want to make sure that during that important time Northern Territory women can have their babies with the high-quality health care that they deserve close to home.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro expressed gratitude for the funding, stating her government had worked collaboratively with the federal government for 14 months to secure it. She described the investment as "much-needed" and expected to deliver a range of necessary upgrades.

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It's clearly much-needed funding that is going to deliver a range of upgrades.