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Joe Spagnolo: McGowan in search of use for $200m Bullsbrook COVID-19 quarantine facility

Joe SpagnoloThe West Australian
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The ghosts of ScoMo are set to haunt the WA Government, which has been lumbered with a 500-bed quarantine facility in Bullsbrook — even though it isn’t needed.
Camera IconThe ghosts of ScoMo are set to haunt the WA Government, which has been lumbered with a 500-bed quarantine facility in Bullsbrook — even though it isn’t needed. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

Ever received a Christmas present you didn’t want or need?

Well, Mark McGowan is about to receive a “present” from his old mate Scott Morrison that he doesn’t need, or want — let alone know what to do with once he gets it.

The ghosts of ScoMo are set to haunt the WA Government, which has been lumbered with a 500-bed quarantine facility in Bullsbrook — even though it isn’t needed.

Up until recently, if you weren’t vaccinated and came to WA you did a stint at a Perth hotel.

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In fact, not that long ago, anyone coming to WA from overseas did a stint at a Perth hotel.

But that’s all changed.

Just this week, the Commonwealth Government announced that people entering Australia — Australian citizens and those who are not — do not need to provide evidence of their vaccination status and do not need to complete digital passenger or maritime travel declarations.

Unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption.

Yet despite all this, a new COVID quarantine facility (which they’re calling a Centre for National Resilience) is being built by the Commonwealth on Commonwealth land in Bullsbrook for a reported $200 million.

Premier Mark McGowan makes a significant announcement at the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant near Rockingham.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan is scheduled to get the the keys to the empty Commonwealth quarantine facility in Perth next month. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

The keys to the facility are scheduled to be handed to the WA Government next month.

And here’s the kicker: despite there being no need for the Perth quarantine facility, WA taxpayers are up for its maintenance and on-going running costs.

People close to both the Albanese Government and the WA Government are now scratching their heads wondering what to do with a very expensive white elephant.

In fact, three centres for national resilience are being built at a total cost of $1.37 billion: the others are in Melbourne and Brisbane.

“We are acutely aware of the significant amount of taxpayers’ money that has been spent on these centres by the former Morrison Government,” new Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told The Sunday Times.

“We want to make sure that the centres for national resilience have an on-going role post-pandemic, but are also ready for any future health emergency where quarantine might be required.

Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher and Treasurer Jim Chalmers at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING
Camera IconMinister for Finance Katy Gallagher and Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Credit: MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

“The Albanese Government will work closely with the relevant State governments to achieve this.”

A McGowan Government spokesperson recently told The Sunday Times there were “no overseas arrivals in hotel quarantine”.

So, what about the new, beaut Bullsbrook quarantine facility?

“Questions about the cost, construction timeline and potential future use of the facility should be directed to the Commonwealth,” the WA Government spokesperson said.

Enough said.

The Bullsbrook facility came about because McGowan loudly complained in 2020 and 2021 that WA taxpayers were paying big bucks to put overseas arrivals in Perth hotels.

A site beleived to be a construction site for the Centre for National Resilience Perth near Bullsbrook. Site is located on Gallagher Rd near West Rd intersection.
Camera IconThe Bullsbrook facility came about because McGowan loudly complained in 2020 and 2021. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

He wanted them quarantined at existing Commonwealth facilities, such as the Curtin air base or the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre.

Morrison announced a purpose-built COVID quarantine facility for Perth in June last year — way after the cavalry was needed and less than a year before the 2022 Federal election.

Am I suggesting a severe case of ScoMo pork-barrelling?

Surely not.

McGowan, before he left in search of pizza and Guinness overseas, made noises about the empty quarantine facility being used to house overseas workers that might be enticed to WA.

That’s a fair idea, given the strained rental market in Perth — if overseas workers can be convinced to come.

But just last week the head of Foodbank Kate O’Hara and the head of Centrecare Tony Pietropiccolo told The Sunday Times there should be discussions involving not-for-profit organisations about the Bullsbrook building’s future.

“It would be great if the facility could be re-purposed for a use based around humanitarian activity, to assist the many West Australians in need,” Ms O’Hara said.

“Perhaps a great starting point is for the State Government to get a representation of not-for-profit service providers together with government to workshop ideas.”

Some would say McGowan’s dilemma is a nice one to have.

A 500-bed facility at his disposal?

Stay tuned.

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