Mr Walsh : Very generous benefactors Geoff and Alex Kent in my electorate were prepared to donate $3 million to help achieve the vision of a wellness centre at the Echuca hospital particularly to treat cancer patients. They have had protracted discussions with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services about this donation and project. The Kents have raised this issue with me because they are so frustrated and disillusioned with the Victorian department which has constantly put obstacles in the way of this donation and vision being achieved. Last year I made a number of approaches to Mark Gepp a member for Northern Victoria Region in the other place for his help with this donation and this project but nothing came of those requests. It is out of sheer frustration on behalf of Geoff and Alex Kent and the people of Echuca who will be beneficiaries of this project that I ask the Minister for Health and/or the Premier to personally intervene and get the department to engage in a constructive way with the Kents so this project can happen. It defies logic that any government could be so dismissive of an offer of a $3 million donation to help achieve a positive outcome for the community and I urge the Minister for Health and/or the Premier to as I said personally intervene and make sure this project happens and actually accept what is a very very generous donation from a couple who want to help the wellness of our community.
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