HEALTH MINISTER MUST RESIGN OVER KALGOORLIE HOSPITAL RORTS

In a letter sent yesterday addressed to the Minister for Health and the Corruption and Crime Commission, revelations from Spartan First Imaging (SFI) have directly contradicted statements the Health Minister made to Parliament regarding improper billing practices at Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam has now called on Minister Hammat to provide a complete and accurate explanation of what she knew and when she knew it, or to resign.

SFI’s letter raised serious questions about the accuracy of Minister Hammat’s repeated claims.In Parliament this week, Minister Hammat claimed she was unaware of allegations regarding the delivery of medical billing issues which charged patients for services they did not receive.

However, according to the letter, concerns about these specific allegations and other billing irregularities were not only raised by SFI but formed the “central purpose” of its meeting with the Minister as far back as 20 January 2026.

Ms Mettam said the letter from SFI signed by two directors and their Chair was unambiguous in its language.

“The letter states: “We are deeply concerned by subsequent statements made to Parliament suggesting that concerns regarding Medicare billing practices and the operation of radiology services at Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital were not raised during that meeting. That characterisation is incorrect.

”Ms Mettam said the letter contained deeply concerning allegations that went to the integrity of the Minister and the accountability of the Cook Labor Government.

“For the past week during Question Time, I have repeatedly tried to seek a comprehensive explanation from the Minister on these serious allegations and she has repeatedly stated she was unaware,” she said.

“When the Opposition does what Oppositions are meant to do – hold the Government to account – it is met with denial, deflection, blame and ridicule.

“If the account of the January meeting set out in SFI’s letter is accurate, it is fundamentally at odds with the version of events the Minister has repeatedly claimed in Parliament.

“This is not a minor discrepancy that can be fobbed off in Question Time, with no answers given. It goes to whether a Minister has accurately represented the facts to Parliament.

“If the contents of this letter are accurate and the billing improprieties are confirmed, then the Minister has misled Parliament and must resign.”

Media contact: Graham Mason 0419 194 792

To read the letter find it attached here.