Backlash grows over decision to scrap Victorian hospital’s Indigenous name in favour of Queen Elizabeth II

Co-chair of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, Marcus Stewart: ‘This is a stark reminder of why treaty is so critical.’ Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Victoria’s First Peoples’ Assembly has accused the Andrews government of making a hospital in Melbourne’s east “culturally unsafe” for Indigenous Australians after it vowed to rename the site in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, dumping its Indigenous name.

In a pre-election pledge on Sunday, Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, promised to rebuild the Maroondah hospital, in East Ringwood, at a cost of $1bn and rename it to pay tribute to the Queen.