Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 29 April 2022
Australian and Tasmanian Liberal Government’s working together to invest in better access to healthcare
The Australian and Tasmanian Liberal Governments continue to work together to deliver upgraded infrastructure and enhanced service delivery, ensuring that generations of Tasmanians to come will be able to access care where and when they need it, regardless of where they live.
Over the last three years, the Federal and State Governments have worked hand-in-hand to continue our strong record of improving access to health care services and facilities, particularly in regional and rural areas, for the benefit of all Tasmanians. This includes the delivery of:
- $12 million to boost access to health services for Tasmanians living in regional, rural and remote areas in the North and North West of the State through TAZREACH and the Rapid Access Inreach Service Trial which sees the integration of existing health services by providing specialist support predominantly to GP practices, District Hospitals and Community Health Centres;
- A new $4.4 million Linear Accelerator for the Cancer Centre at the North West Regional Hospital. The equipment was installed just last month and will be fully operational in May 2022;
- $3 million for four new mammography machines at BreastScreen’s Hobart and Launceston clinics to improve client comfort and experience and increase capacity. New machines were recently installed in both locations with final completion of the project expected next month; and
- $400,000 for two new soundproofed birthing suites at the Launceston General Hospital. This project has been finished.
We recognise the ongoing challenges in our health system with demand continuing to increase in a COVID-19 environment, which is why the close partnership between the Commonwealth and State Government has resulted in continuous progress delivering strong results.
Right across Tasmania, we have improved service and ensured infrastructure projects are underway and on track, including:
- $20 million for additional elective surgery and endoscopy procedures so that more Tasmanians can receive their procedures within the clinically recommended times. $9.2 million of this funding already expended which has seen 3,470 additional procedures performed over the past financial year;
- $10 million to establish an Eating Disorders Treatment Centre. This project is on track with a Development Application lodged earlier this year, and day programs expected to commence in the North and North West later this year;
- $4.5 million to upgrade perinatal and infant mental health services in the North and North West which is enabling the Government to recruit additional staff to Adult Community Mental Health Services and the Child Health and Parenting Service;
- $1 million to deliver improvements to the West Coast District Hospital including aged care and allied health facilities. Consultation has occurred with hospital staff and the Council with construction anticipated to begin later this year;
- $10 million to redevelop and extend the existing Kings Meadows Community Health Centre with an implementation program proposal currently underway and expected mid-2022; and
- $10 million to improve the acute medical facilities at the North West Regional Hospital with an implementation program proposal currently underway and expected mid-2022.
We continue to have positive conversations with our Federal counterparts and look forward to continuing to work together to deliver more health infrastructure that benefits all Tasmanians.
Senator Anne Urquhart, Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate, Senator for Tasmania & Chris Lynch, Labor Candidate for Braddon, 1 May 2022
Liberals Deliver A Self-Incriminating Report Card On Their Incompetence
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has kicked a spectacular own-goal by highlighting the fact that Scott Morrison has failed to deliver on 7 out of 8 local health projects promised for Braddon last election.
In a media release on Friday 29 April, Premier Jeremy Rockcliff delivered a report card on how the two Liberal Governments had been working together on eight health projects over the past three years.
The report card confirmed what we all know about Scott Morrison and Gavin Pearce – that they always makes announcements but never deliver. The Premier’s media release included the fact that only one project has actually been completed.
“The Morrison Government is always keen to make the announcement and get the photo op, but they never deliver,” said Labor’s Candidate for Braddon, Chris Lynch.
“The current Member for Braddon has taken a page out Scott Morrison’s playbook and said repeatedly that it’s not the Federal Government’s job to deliver and has shifted the responsibility onto the state.
“They can’t have it both ways. It’s not good enough that they make the announcement but then fail to deliver for the North-West community that is relying on these services.
“It’s incredible that the new Premier would kick such an embarrassing own goal like this when trying to get involved in the federal campaign.
“Instead of putting out flawed press releases, maybe they should all just get on and deliver on the health projects that they promised to Braddon residents,” Mr Lynch said.
The Morrison Government promised to deliver these projects and were listed in the Premier’s media release as achievements, but are not yet operating or have not even started construction:
- Eating Disorders Treatment Centre
- Perinatal and infant mental health services for new mothers in the North and North West
- West Coast District Hospital aged care beds
- Redevelopment of Kings Meadows Community Health Centre
- Acute medical facilities at the North West Regional Hospital
- Linear Accelerator for the Cancer Centre at the North West Regional Hospital
- Four new mammography machines at BreastScreen’s Hobart and Launceston
The only project listed as “finished” is the installation of two new soundproofed birthing suites at the Launceston General Hospital.
Senator for Tasmania, Anne Urquhart, said the self-incriminating report card showed how out of touch the Morrison and Tasmanian Governments are.
“People expect their government to deliver on their promises and over the last term of government, Tasmanians in the North-West have worked Scott Morrison out,” Senator Urquhart said.
“Scott Morrison is always there for a photo op but he is never there for the follow up and his inability to deliver is having an impact on people’s lives through less access to healthcare.”
“Scott Morrison’s incompetence means that these delays are also costing taxpayers more.
“As one example, the Don Irrigation Scheme hasn’t even started after three years and has now almost doubled in cost.”
Scott Morrison’s failure to deliver doesn’t stop with health projects. The Tasmanian Premier’s media release also bells the cat on the fact that the following Government infrastructure promises from 2019 in Braddon electorate haven’t even started:
- Burnie Shiploader
- Camp Banksia Latrobe
- Cooee Crawl upgrade
- Cradle Mountain Cableway (2018)
- Don Irrigation Scheme expansion
- Latrobe flood levee (2018)
- Lyell Highway Upgrade
- Massy Greene Drive
Senator Urquhart said, “This own goal from the Premier is probably the closest thing to the truth Braddon residents will hear from the Liberals this election.
“The only way to have a Prime Minister and local member that delivers outcomes for our community and delivers on its promises is to change the government and vote Labor at the upcoming election.”
Editor’s note: there is no gazetted ‘North West’ area in Tasmania. There is only the north-west. A ‘Development Application’ is just a development application. A ‘Linear Accelertor’ is just a machine, like a tractor or bandsaw, in fact it’s just a linear accelerator. Regardless of how important Mr Lynch feels, he is just a candidate not a ‘Candidate’. Etcetera. The incorrect use of capitals by spin doctors is another pandemic we will have to deal when we’ve got the current one under control.
