NSW deputy opposition leader Linda Burney has called on the government to find a way to keep childcare centre Playmates Cottage at its current location on the grounds of Dubbo Hospital.
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She said it was not "considered properly" during planning for future stages of the hospital's redevelopment, a claim rejected by Dubbo MP Troy Grant during a Parliamentary debate.
The exchange between the pair occurred on Thursday as the lower house turned its attention to a petition requesting the creation of a hospital master plan that did not include the closure of the childcare centre.
The petition was signed by more than 10,500 people and on Thursday the presence in the public gallery of members of the Save Playmates Cottage Committee, the petition's organisers, was acknowledged during debate.
Last month Mr Grant said "the reality of the situation is that beyond December 2016 the expansion of the hospital means Playmates really does need to find a new home" and he pledged to find funding for a "bigger and better Playmates Cottage".
The Dubbo MP spoke first during the debate on Thursday and reiterated his public commitment to assist the centre "to develop a business strategy for funding a new facility, obtain a list of appropriate Crown and shire council lands for a new Playmates Cottage site and review a design brief for a new purpose-built facility".
"I have made no secret of the fact that health is my number one priority," he said, as recorded in the Hansard transcript.
"I want to make sure that everyone is regional and western NSW has access to world-class facilities.
"I have given my genuine public and written commitment to help Playmates Cottage relocate as a result of this ongoing development."
Ms Burney, who is also opposition spokeswoman for early childhood education, called on Mr Grant to do more to retain Playmates at its current premises.
"It might have been considered, but it was decided it was not appropriate for it to stay where it is," Ms Burney said.
"That is what the argument is about.
"It is not about the redevelopment; no one is arguing against that.
"The reason that people have driven for five hours from the minister's community is that they are saying they want to keep the centre where it is.
"My strong advice to the minister is to go back to the drawing board and make it possible.
"The minister can not tell me that this is not possible."
Ms Burney's time for speaking expired then and she unsuccessfully sought an extension of time from acting Speaker Christopher Gulaptis.
"In that case I conclude by congratulating the people in the gallery," Ms Burney said.
Hansard records the discussion concluded at that point.