Official Opening of Mater Hospital Springfield

Premier of Queensland and Minster for Veterans, the Honourable David Crisafulli MP; Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP; Speaker of the House of Representatives and Federal Member for Oxley, the Honourable Milton Dick MP; State Member for Jordan, Ms Charis Mullen MP; Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Brisbane, The Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay; Ipswich City Council Mayor,  Councillor Teresa Harding; Director-General, Queensland Health, Dr David Rosengren; Chair, Board of Directors, Mater Misericordiae Ltd,  Mr Patrick Brady, and all health sector leaders here today; Chair and Founder, Springfield City Group, Mr Maha Sinnathamby AM; the many distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

I wish to acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands upon which we are gathered and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people among us.

It is indeed a privilege to be here to officiate at the opening and blessing of the Mater Hospital Springfield—an occasion that marks not only the completion of a building, but the strengthening of a community.

Over the course of my term as Governor, I have made it a priority to encourage improved health and wellbeing among Queenslanders.

That effort has taken many forms — supporting initiatives that promote physical activity, championing mental health awareness, visiting every public hospital in Queensland— which I am on track to achieve by the end of my term as Governor — and, in doing so, recognising the quiet, often unseen work of those who care for others.

But central to all of it is a simple truth: healthy communities rely on access — to care, to expertise, and to the reassurance that, when needed, help is close at hand.

And that is why today matters so profoundly.

Springfield sits within one of the fastest growing regions in Queensland.

Ipswich has been identified as the fastest‑growing city in the state, with its population rising rapidly—by more than 9,000 people in a single year — and growth driven strongly by areas such as Springfield and the surrounding western corridor.

The greater Springfield region alone has grown by several thousand residents in just a few years, reflecting the extraordinary pace at which families are choosing to live, work and build their futures here.

Growth of this scale brings energy, opportunity, and optimism — but it also brings responsibility. Infrastructure must keep pace. Services must expand. And, most importantly, healthcare must be ready to meet the needs of a growing and changing population.

Hospitals are more than places of treatment — they are lifelines within their communities. They provide care in moments of vulnerability, foster recovery and resilience, and increasingly play a broader role in supporting the overall wellbeing of the communities they serve — extending beyond their walls to address the many factors that influence health.

The Mater Hospital, Springfield stands as a powerful response to that need.  

It represents foresight — recognising what this region will require not only today, but in the decades ahead. It represents compassion—ensuring that care is accessible, close to home, and grounded in dignity.

And it represents partnership—between government, healthcare providers, and the community itself. For the families who will walk through these doors, this hospital will bring reassurance. For the healthcare professionals who will work here, it will be a place of purpose.

And for the wider community, it will be a cornerstone — supporting health, wellbeing, and confidence in the future.

As I reflect on my focus, during my term, on encouraging healthier communities, I can think of few more tangible expressions of that goal than what we see before us today.

This is not only an investment in infrastructure — it is an investment in people, an investment in care and an investment in the continued flourishing of one of Queensland’s most dynamic regions.

It is therefore my great honour to declare the Mater Hospital Springfield officially open.

Thank you.