Attempts by Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff to cover up the impact of Budget cuts on staff in Biosecurity Tasmania are masking real problems within the service.
Mr Rockliff took the extraordinary step of gagging the head of Biosecurity Tasmania Dr Lloyd Klumpp in today’s Budget Estimates hearings to prevent him speaking about the morale of his staff.
“It is no secret that morale of Biosecurity Tasmania staff is at an all time low because of what the Government is doing.
“Mr Rockliff is trying to hide the impact on staff of cuts in last year’s Budget and restructuring of the department.
“Why did Mr Rockliff stop Mr Klump from addressing today’s hearing about staff morale?
“Mr Rockliff obviously doesn’t want people to know how Biosecurity Tasmania staff are coping.
“If there is nothing to worry about, why wasn’t Mr Kump allowed to speak up.
“Mr Rockliff is desperately trying to downplay staff concerns because he won’t accept responsibility for their well being.
“The Government has acknowledged its damaging cuts to Biosecurity last year by restoring some funding in this year’s Budget, but it still doesn’t go far enough.
“Mr Rockliff’s says he wants quarantine officers to become multi skilled but that is simply code for them having to do more with less support.”
David Llewellyn MP Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
