NSW Government Blocks Release of Hospital Mould Briefings Citing Commercial Sensitivity
The state government of New South Wales has come under fire for refusing to disclose key ministerial briefings related to a toxic mould crisis that forced the closure of multiple wards at Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle. Officials have cited ongoing commercial negotiations with the hospital's private operator, Novacare, as the reason for withholding the documents, a move that has drawn accusations of bad faith from advocates and politicians alike.
Advocates and Opposition Decry Lack of Transparency
Advocates for the Calvary Mater Hospital have sharply criticised the NSW government, alleging that the decision to block the release of three crucial ministerial briefings undermines public trust. Despite the hospital being managed under a public-private partnership (PPP) established over a decade ago, authorities claim that revealing the details would compromise the state's position in active commercial discussions.
NSW shadow health minister Sarah Mitchell emphasised the need for openness, stating that taxpayers, staff, and patients deserve clarity on the negotiations. She highlighted that this secrecy underscores the necessity of an upcoming parliamentary inquiry into the Mater, which was pushed through by a coalition of the Coalition and the Greens, outvoting Labor.
Freedom of Information Request Denied Amid Parliamentary Scrutiny
The Newcastle Herald submitted a freedom of information request for briefings provided to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park between March 31 and August 19, 2025, concerning the mould issue. After spending twelve hours assessing the request, the department denied access to every page, citing protections such as parliamentary privilege and legal professional privilege.
Officials argued that one document was intended to prepare the minister for parliamentary discussions, yet Hansard records show that Mr Park has not mentioned the Calvary Mater or Newcastle in Parliament since becoming Health Minister in 2023. This discrepancy has fueled suspicions of a cover-up, with whistleblower and Mater cancer patient Troy Stolz accusing the government of employing smoke and mirrors tactics.
Greens Join Calls for Public Management and Accountability
Greens politician Amanda Cohn, who collaborated with Ms Mitchell to advance the parliamentary inquiry, called for greater transparency from the Minns government. She criticised the suppression of documents due to commercial negotiations, labelling it another flaw in the problematic public-private partnership. Dr Cohn advocated for returning the hospital to public management to resolve infrastructure issues promptly and restore community confidence.
The crisis, which includes a deadly mould infestation in the air-conditioning vents of cancer wards, has been exacerbated by recent state intervention. The government was compelled to step in this month to fix the hospital's cladding to prevent water leaks, after Novacare was deemed too slow in addressing the problem. These leaks and the mould were first reported by the Newcastle Herald in May 2025.
Complex Contract Hinders Government Action
Minister Ryan Park and the state government have repeatedly pointed to the complexity of the contract with Novacare, which handles maintenance and cleaning, as a barrier to swift intervention. However, the PPP agreement includes provisions allowing the government to order immediate action in emergencies affecting health and safety or hospital operations, and to reschedule services costing up to $10,000.
As the parliamentary inquiry looms, the ongoing standoff over the mould files highlights broader concerns about accountability and transparency in public-private healthcare partnerships, with stakeholders demanding answers to protect patient welfare and public interest.
