State Liberal MPs in marginal seats are facing a voter backlash against the Barnett Government’s plans to privatise essential services in WA hospitals, private union polling has revealed.

The polling shows the In Public Hands anti-privatisation campaign is having a big impact in the marginal electorate of Jandakot, held by Liberal Joe Francis.

Commissioned by United Voice and Health Services Union (HSU), the polling has shown the multi-union In Public Hands campaign has reinforced strong community opposition to privatisation in Jandakot and dramatically increased the awareness of the Barnett Government’s plans to privatise services at the nearby Fiona Stanley Hospital.

In Public Hands is being run by United Voice and HSU to fight Barnett Government moves to privatise essential services in public hospitals including Fiona Stanley, Midland Hospital and the new children’s hospital.

Over the last few months, the campaign has specifically targeted communities around the Fiona Stanley Hospital, with a particular focus on Jandakot.  Campaign activity included television advertising, community newspaper advertising and a highly successful Facebook group, as well as direct mail to households.  Activity culminated in a well attended community Town Hall style meeting in June.

The private polling tested voter awareness and attitudes to the privatisation of health services in Jandakot, as well as the seats of Swan Hills, Wanneroo and Mount Lawley, where campaigning had not yet occurred.

United Voice Secretary Dave Kelly said the polling confirmed strong community opposition to privatisation and indicated the In Public Hands campaign had significantly increased awareness of the Barnett Government’s privatisation agenda.

“Our polling confirms that 70 per cent of marginal seat voters are opposed to the Barnett Government’s planned privatisation of services at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Midland Hospital and new children’s hospital,” Mr Kelly said.

“Despite this strong opposition, our polling also shows that many people are unaware of the Barnett Government’s plans to privatise health, with about half of voters in the electorates of Mount Lawley, Swan Hills and Wanneroo unaware of the government’s agenda.

“However, in the seat of Jandakot, where we have campaigned strongly over the last few months, our polling shows 80 per cent of voters are now aware of the Barnett Government’s plans to privatise services at the nearby Fiona Stanley Hospital, with 86 per cent believing WA hospitals should remain in public hands.”

HSU Secretary Dan Hill said he believed the Barnett Government was reacting to strong community opposition to the privatisation of health services.

“It is likely that the State Government’s own polling has revealed the groundswell of public opinion against the privatisation of health services in Jandakot that we have picked up,” Mr Hill said.

“This is why we have some seen some small steps to address community concerns about privatisation in recent weeks.

“However, despite recently announcing that it will build the new children’s hospital with public funds and keep a number of services at Albany Hospital in house, the Barnett Government still plans to privatise most of the services at the new children’s hospital and there are still a number of services under threat in Albany.”

Mr Hill said that United Voice and HSU would run the In Public Hands campaign until the Barnett Government committed to not privatising services at any Western Australian hospital.

“We are putting the State Government on notice that we will bring the campaign we have run in Jandakot to every marginal Liberal held seat in WA between now and the next election, unless Colin Barnett abandons his plans to privatise services in Fiona Stanley Hospital, Midland Hospital and the new children’s hospital.

“If the strong opposition to privatisation at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Jandakot is repeated in the other nearby marginals of Southern River and Riverton, you have to wonder whether these MPs will hold onto their seats.”

Mr Kelly said the State Government had failed to make its case as to why privatisation was in the public interest.

“Experience in WA and around the world shows that privatisation reduces the quality of health care, because private companies have to make a profit.  And, in many cases, privatisation ends up costing taxpayers more money.

“For example, the privatisation of cleaning services at Royal Perth Hospital by the Court Government in the 1990s was found to be a key contributor to the VRE superbug outbreak in 2001, which saw 172 people infected and cost $2.7million to clean up.

 “Privatisation has failed in the past and it will fail now. WA can afford better.”

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