Cassy O’Connor: Ferguson must take responsibility for RHH and stop blame-shifting

It is appropriate and proper for Health Minister, Michael Ferguson, to be fully briefed on the long overdue Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment but he must also commit to the redevelopment and to the State fully funding its share of the project, Tasmanian Greens Health spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said today.

“It’s clear the redevelopment is not on track and has serious problems, and I recognise that the Minister has acted appropriately in seeking full advice before deciding the next steps, but this is a critical project and funding has been allocated by both Commonwealth and State governments which must be spent on the redevelopment.

“According to previous Budget papers, the State’s allocation of $225 million over six years should run through to the end of the 2015-16 financial year. Tasmanians need to be reassured that the Hodgman Government will not keep blame-shifting to the previous Health Minister, and instead commit to funding and redeveloping the Royal.

“Now that he has, in part, been open about the problems with the redevelopment, Mr Ferguson needs to tell Tasmanians when work on the Royal will recommence and that he is fully committed to meeting the State’s funding responsibilities to deliver on this long-overdue redevelopment,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Health spokesperson