Protest leader calling for retention of Repatriation General Hospital labels RSL ‘traitors’ for bidd
THE leader of the Save the Repat protests has labelled the RSL as “traitors” after its successful bid to take over the Repatriation General Hospital site.
A group of about 30 people attended a protest this afternoon, walking from Victoria Square to the steps of Parliament House.
The rally came a day after the State Government announced the RSL had been approved to spend $125 million redeveloping the Daw Park Repat site after the hospital is closed next year.
View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Follow Lauren Novak ✔ @Lauren__Dailey About 20 vocal #SavetheRepat protesters making their way to #saparli after yesterday's site announcement @theTiser 12:43 PM - 16 May 2016 · Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 1 1 Retweet 2 2 likes Addressing the small but vocal crowd, Vietnam veteran Augustinus Krikke — who spent 161 days on the steps of Parliament protesting the closure of the Repat — told the crowd the RSL were “traitors” for their involvement.
“What did we get yesterday? We got sold out,” he said.
“We got sold out by an organisation that is supposed to be looking after the wellbeing and the welfare and the health of the voters of this state.
“They have betrayed the grassroots members of their own association by this action.
“They’re nothing but traitors.”
Master plan sketches of the proposed RSL Repat Park complex. RSL SA President Tim Hanna yesterday said the organisation’s plans for the site would offer health services and accommodation to veterans and the broader community.
This includes aged care accommodation, retirement living, rehabilitation facilities, health clinics and retaining the hydrotherapy pool.
Following the protest, Mr Hanna said the RSL had put forward its plans for the site in response to a request by the State Government.
“The RSL’s plans will ensure ongoing veteran involvement on the site and the delivery of best of class services which may otherwise not have eventuated,” he said.
“There has been significant positive feedback about yesterday’s announcement from within the veteran community.”