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Bullsbrook quarantine site ‘too much, too late’ for Perth’s COVID outbreak

Simon Beaumont
Article image for Bullsbrook quarantine site ‘too much, too late’ for Perth’s COVID outbreak

The federal government is under pressure to reassess the scale of its Bullsbrook quarantine facility as the need for quarantine wanes.

The purpose-built quarantine facility in Perth’s outskirts may not be up and running until winter, long after the projected peak of COVID-19 in WA.

AMA WA President Mark Duncan-Smith told Liam Bartlett while there’s still good reason to have a quarantine facility, its planned capacity of 500 beds is “a little bit arguable”.

“There is no doubt we’re going to have future pandemics,” he said.

“But then again, with proper vaccination as in boosters similar to a flu shot booster, … we may not see as much need for it in the future.

“Having this open well after the peak, and the peak’s supposed to be in the next week or two, just seems a little bit too much, too late.

“I think it reflects the problem of communication between the state and federal governments that’s really occurred over the last two years with COVID.”

Dr Duncan-Smith said with construction only halfway complete, the time is ripe for a reassessment.

“Perhaps they should look at what they’re doing with our taxpayer money, reassess, do a proper needs assessment for our community and really work out whether we do need the 500 beds.

“Ultimately, it’s our taxpayer money getting spent out there.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Getty

Simon Beaumont
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