Michael “It’s not my problem” Ferguson needs to accept responsibility for a $1.3 million blowout in Royal Hobart Hospital rebuild spending since he established his “rescue” taskforce.
Right To Information documents obtained by Labor show that $1.3 million has been paid by the Liberal Government to contractors with no work actually being done.
The heavily censored document also reveals that members of the taskforce are being paid $2800 a day.
Shadow Health Minister Rebecca White said that the Hodgman Government could not justify such largesse while also forcing nurses to take a pay cut that would see them lose about $6500 a year.
“The Hodgman Government has clearly abandoned its promise to invest in frontline services,” Ms White said.
“A heavily censored RTI response revealed that Michael Ferguson refuses to be open and transparent about his so-called ‘rescue’ mission.
“He showed how much he cares about the censorship by telling parliament ‘it’s not my problem’.
“I have news for Mr Ferguson – it is his problem.
“It is his problem that $1.3 million has been wasted on zero progress with the RHH rebuild.
“It is his problem that members of the taskforce are being paid $2800 a day.
“It is his problem that these members will cost the Tasmanian taxpayer more than $300,000.
“Michael Ferguson must stop hiding behind panels and consultants and take responsibility for his portfolio.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Health Minister
