The New South Wales (NSW) Shadow Health Minister, Sarah Mitchell, is pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into what she describes as “horrific” conditions at the Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle. This demand follows alarming reports of dangerous mould in air-conditioning systems and maggots falling from vents onto patients. The ongoing issues have raised serious concerns regarding the public-private partnership (PPP) under which the hospital operates.
In January 2026, the hospital was forced to close two wards due to these hazardous conditions, prompting the opposition to call for an investigation once Parliament resumes in February. “It’s horrific, the fact that this is happening in a major hospital in a city like Newcastle is just beyond explanation,” said Mitchell. She emphasized that patients and staff deserve better, arguing that the government should be held accountable beyond mere press statements.
Nurses and their supporters rallied outside the hospital, brandishing signs with messages like “Piss Poor Performance (PPP)” and “My mum should come home safe, not sick.” Among the demonstrators was Camilla Smith, secretary of the NSWNMA Mater branch, who expressed that hospital staff are “deeply frustrated” and at a breaking point. “They can’t keep ignoring us; we’re getting to the point where every day there’s something new happening,” she added.
The Greens also joined the rally, with politician and doctor Amanda Cohn criticizing the lack of accountability surrounding the crisis. She pointed out that the Calvary Mater is operated by the private company Novacare, which manages the hospital’s infrastructure and cleaning, despite it serving as a public hospital. “Aspergillus in the air conditioning and maggots falling from the ceiling are not safe for any ward, let alone a ward with cancer patients with compromised immune systems,” Cohn stated. She urged an end to the PPP framework that has failed to address these issues over the months.
Multiple nurses at the rally, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid potential repercussions, reported that their concerns about safety were met with indifference. They expressed worry that without significant changes, a mass exodus of staff could occur, leaving the hospital unable to replace them. Local Labor MP Sonia Hornery has been vocal about the hospital’s serious issues, raising them with the Health Minister daily. “I want more action on this—I hate public-private partnerships,” she stated.
Health Minister Ryan Park previously expressed his commitment to resolving the issues swiftly but argued that an inquiry would not accelerate the process. “Mr Park needs to be strong and support a parliamentary inquiry,” Mitchell contended. “It’s time they got on board; the community deserves better than empty comments.”
When asked about supporting an inquiry or reconsidering the PPP, NSW Premier Chris Minns declined to comment directly, instead having a spokesperson claim that progress had been made concerning the maggot issue while rectification for the mould was underway. “Unfortunately, we are dealing with a complex contractual arrangement. We understand the community’s frustration and their desire for answers,” the spokesperson remarked.
The Newcastle Herald reports that there is support in principle among the Greens for a parliamentary inquiry, which would involve politicians from various parties hearing testimony from staff and patients. The committee would then make recommendations to the government, which would be required to respond within a few months.
In a related development, the government ended the Northern Beaches PPP in late 2025 after the preventable death of a toddler, with the NSW Treasurer asserting that the decision was made without burdening taxpayers. Park stated that the government had managed to dismantle “one of the most complex privatisation arrangements in the state’s history” within a short timeframe.
Despite this, questions linger about the differences between the situations at the Mater and the Northern Beaches Hospital. “Why should patients and staff at the Mater in Newcastle deserve any less than patients and staff at the Northern Beaches in Sydney?” Cohn questioned.
Families affected by the mould issues are currently preparing a class action lawsuit, citing concerns that their immunocompromised loved ones may have died from mould-induced pneumonia. Both Cohn and Mitchell raised alarm over bureaucratic reassurances that the mould risk was “very minimal” in December, only for the hospital to close a ward shortly thereafter.
