Whoever wins the election, James Cook U seems assured of hospital funding in Cairns. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has $60m for the university to buy land “and deliver world class medical research.”  The money will allow the university to move research and education staff out of Cairns Hospital, creating space for 150 more beds. But in an ABC TV interview Mr Morrison added the state government would need to kick in $90m more.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten ups the offer saying Labor is committed to, “a new dedicated training facility at Cairns Hospital,” includes $10m for land and $50m to “fully fund,” “clinical training and development.”

Won’t be many federal elections until JCU is promised a full-scale med school in Cairns.