Hospital scrutineer accuses Binet of being a "part-time Health Minister"

Tuesday 22 October 2024

The Chief Minister has said he has "no qualms" with the work ethic of his right-hand man after Deputy Tom Binet was accused of being a “part-time Health Minister” in the States Assembly today.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf levied this view of the Health Minister at Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham from his position on the backbench during the 'questions without notice' period.

It came amid his line of questioning about Deputy Binet's involvement in 'Project Breakwater', which he oversees as Deputy Chief Minister.

Details of this piece of work have not yet been shared, but Deputy Farnham said it would "aim to deliver substantial long overdue investment into the island's public realm, including Fort Regent".

Pictured: Deputy Jonathan Renouf chairs the Hospital Review Panel.

Deputy Renouf then listed some of the projects that the Health Minister leads, referring to his participation in 'Project Breakwater' as his "side hustle".

Deputy Renouf said: "Can the Chief Minister explain why the island has a part-time Health Minister?"

Deputy Farnham replied: "The island has a full-time Health Minister, and he has in fact spent the past weekend seeing to matters within his role as Health Minister.

"In his role as Deputy Chief Minister, he has other responsibilities and carries those out in a timely and productive way."

The Chief Minister continued: "I have no qualms with his work ethic and the amount of work he puts into things."

"I take exception to the use of the words 'side hustle' when it relates to important, long overdue investment in our public realm."

Pictured: Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said he has "no qualms" with Deputy Binet's work ethic.

Deputy Binet is also leading the construction of the new £710 million New Healthcare Facilities Programme to build a new hospital across several locations, including creating a health village in St Saviour.

Plans for the Hospital were submitted this month, with an expected completion date of 2029. Construction works are planned to commence as early as the beginning of the first quarter of 2025.

Deputy Binet was first elected to office in 2022 and served as Infrastructure Minister in Deputy Kristina Moore's government before resigning from that role and lodging a vote of no confidence in her as Chief Minister.

He subsequently took of the role of Health Minister and Deputy Chief Minister under Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.