Economy
‘You make me sick’ O’Byrne feels heat on health cutbacks
HEALTH Minister Michelle O’Byrne said not one stone had been left unturned when it came to making savings in the health budget, as she came under pressure in question time this morning to explain the government’s decision to cut back on elective surgery funding.
Opposition Leader Will Hodgman also accused Premier Lara Giddings of breaking a Labor election promise to protect health workers’ jobs.
Ms Giddings said the opposition in its alternative budget had not stood by one of its election health promises.
“But what they did is stand by … $100 million savings to the health budget,” she said.
The opposition is also claiming Ms O’Byrne was “shafted” by cabinet and forced to sacrifice elective surgery so that other ministers could keep their projects.
“It seems that Attorney-General Brian Wightman put a more convincing argument to the Premier to keep the State Architect and the Fox Taskforce than Minister O’Byrne did around keeping elective surgery,” opposition health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff said.
“And of course, the price for keeping Sustainable Transport Minister and Greens leader, Nick McKim in the tent on the budget was nearly $21 million for park and ride facilities and wifi on buses.”
• What the parties say: In Their Own Words, HERE
First published: 2011-10-18 11:29 PM
• ABC Online: You make me sick, says Michelle O’Byrne
Tasmania’s Health Minister has lashed out at the Opposition for targeting the state’s health budget cuts.
Michelle O’Byrne told Parliament the Liberals were making her sick.
The Opposition has maintained its attack on the Government’s plan to slash the elective surgery budget.
Health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff asked questions on behalf of health worker unions who, he says, remain in the dark.
“How long will it take elective surgery lists, ambulance services, for our mental health services to recover from heartless cuts.”
It prompted an angry outburst from Ms O’Byrne.
“The party of WorkChoices comes in here and pretends to give one real concern for workers. You make me sick, you make me sick.”
The Greens called on the Minister to investigate whether the Commonwealth-funded Mersey Hospital could take on more elective surgeries.
Ms O’Byrne says the option is being considered.