AMA Tasmania disappointed at minimal increase in health spending

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the announcement of additional
funding for elective surgeries and a health reform plan, but is disappointed in the minimal
increase in health spending of just 4.8 per cent, as announced in today’s State Budget.

AMA President Dr Tim Greenaway said the increase in health spending was less than health
inflation and did not represent a real increase in funding to the sector.

“Tasmania’s health care system is currently at breaking point and a commitment of
additional budget allocation is needed to ensure Tasmanians receive high quality health
care,” Dr Greenaway said.

“We do not believe a minimal budget increase of 4.8 per cent is enough to achieve the real
reforms that are required for our health system.”

Dr Greenaway said AMA Tasmania had already stated its position against the move by the
Tasmanian Government to roll out its wage freeze to all public servants, as it threatened the
future of the public hospital medical workforce in Tasmania.

“If the Government was to achieve this wage freeze through legislation, which overrides the
authority of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission’s independent role as the arbiter of
industrial awards, it would spell the end for negotiated industrial agreements in Tasmania,”
he said.

“AMA Tasmania and the Tasmanian Salaried Medical Practitioners’ Society are currently
representing public hospital doctors at the Industrial Commission and are arguing the case
for a fair and reasonable award for public doctors in Tasmania.

“The failure of the Government to offer competitive working conditions means we are
constantly losing doctors to the mainland states.

“Public hospital doctors in Tasmania have not had a pay increase since December 2011.
“The current award covering public hospital doctors in Tasmania is outdated and
uncompetitive and has resulted in excessive locum costs and special deals for some
doctors, which are simply not affordable in the long-term.”

Dr Greenaway said while this was the case, AMA Tasmania welcomed the announcement of
the Tasmanian Government’s reform plan and looked forward to being included in the
development of the White Paper to be released in March 2015.

“We also welcome the additional $76 million over four years to perform up to an extra 15,000
elective surgeries along with an additional $23.4 million from the Federal Government,” Dr
Greenaway said.

“The extra commitment of a $5.4 million investment over the next four years for additional
Transition to Practice Placements for nursing graduates, resulting in an additional 85 nurses
entering the system was a welcome move.

“In the end however the devil will be in the detail and we look forward to sitting down and
reviewing the budget documents in greater detail.”
AMA President Dr Tim Greenaway