'Absolute kick in the guts': Sydneysiders paying $87m in hospital parking every year as fees surge
Sydneysiders have seen a hike in the cost of hospital parking, with the government pulling in a staggering $87 million in the last financial year.
The hike is a 70 per cent increase in 12 months, with Western Sydney hit the hardest.
In December 2019, while in opposition, Health Minister Ryan Park called it a "sick tax", now he is being forced to defend the surge.
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The increase is 70 per cent in 12 months. Nine
"I still contend that hospital parking fees remain a challenge, and I'm not pretending that they don't," he said.
In the 2024 to 2025 financial year, parking costs totalled $86.9 million, a $35.2 million increase from the previous year.
Western Sydney hospitals brought in the most, at $17.6 million, up $6.5 million.
South Western Sydney followed with $16.2 million, up $5.3 million.
Sydney Local Health District hospitals had the biggest increase, up 185 per cent to $10.1 million.
"People are telling me they are waiting longer in emergency departments, and when you go out and pay the car parking fees, it feels like an absolute kick in the guts." NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said.
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Kelli Sloane is calling for a fairer distribution of fees across Sydney. Sitthixay Ditthavong
The minister said the surge in parking revenue was due to staff receiving free parking during the first seven months of the 2023 to 2024 financial year.
That was a hangover from a COVID-era policy introduced by the Coalition government and backed by the then Labor opposition.
Staff now pay a subsidised rate each day, along with patients, their carers, other frequent users, and those who are disadvantaged.
"The reason we needed to make that change is, if we made that free in some of our large metropolitan areas, those car parks would be full by 7am," Parks said.
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