Health Minister KIm Hames did not comment on Mr Italiano’s departure. Photo: Bohdan Warchomij
The Perth Children’s Hospital is expected to open on time despite the mysterious departure of its executive director, the state government insists.
Greg Italiano left the role in October, but it remains unclear whether he quit or was forced out.
Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said Mr Italiano’s departure indicated the $1.2 billion project was in trouble and could be delayed.
“Given that he played such a crucial role in the hospital’s development, it’s ridiculous that the government is not being honest about what has happened,” he told AAP on Sunday.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the hospital was still on track to open and accept patients in November 2015.
“So far, there’s no change to that time frame,” he said.
“This is a major infrastructure project and project teams are constantly reviewing the building status and planning all the way along.”
Dr Hames did not comment on Mr Italiano’s departure.
Mr Cook said the mystery surrounding Mr Italiano’s departure echoed the dramas of the Fiona Stanley Hospital when that project was delayed despite the state government assuring the public that it would open on time.
“It looks like it’s history repeating itself,” he said.
“We should be cautious of the weasel words. We’ve heard it all before.”
When Mr Italiano was the executive director at WA police in 2012, he prompted a corruption investigation into Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan, who he accused of misusing a corporate credit card, but the commissioner was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Mr Italiano moved to the Treasury Department before being appointed to the Perth Children’s Hospital in September last year.