The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, said that the new Tasmanian Health Minister should be given the chance to rescue the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, but that must not result in a down-graded hospital being built.
“The Minister needs to sort out the shambles he inherited from the previous Government – I accept that,” Mr Wilkie said.
“A pause while he gets the governance and management of the project back on track, and nails down the risks, is necessary.
“But the tone of the briefing he gave to State Parliament today worries me.
“I am concerned that the Tasmanian community is being softened up for a hospital that will be significantly less than the one we were expecting and desperately need.
“What I am looking for is strong political leadership to meet Tasmania’s health needs, not an accountant looking for a short-term budget fix.
“It would not be acceptable to me, or the doctors, the nurses and the broader Tasmanian community to end up with a second-rate hospital.”
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Denison
