Media release – Ella Haddad MP, Shadow Minister for Health, 12 July 2024
Infrastructure not immune from Liberal-Lambie health cuts
A reduction in the budget of the planned Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department Expansion – project described by the Health Department as a ‘beacon of hope’ for our healthcare system – shows the Liberal-Lambie health cuts aren’t confined to jobs alone.
A Department of Health submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works dated 28 November 2023 said “A funding allocation to the amount of $149 million has been provided by the Tasmanian State Government for the entire Emergency Department Expansion Phase 2 project from the RHH Redevelopment Stage 2 budget of $201 million.”
The $149 million expansion was then recommended by the Committee in February this year.
Today, in response to concerns raised by the AMA and the ANMF that the expansion was receiving a significant haircut, the Acting Health Secretary told ABC radio that the budget was $130 million – a 13 per cent decrease than what was committed to by the government last year.
Cuts to the planned expansion are particularly worrying given they come on top of the government’s controversial vacancy control measures which could see hundreds of jobs slashed.
Tasmania’s health system is sick enough – whether it’s jobs or infrastructure, it can’t afford the Liberal-Lambie health cuts.
Media release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens Health spokesperson, 12 July 2024
RHH Emergency Upgrade, a Sign of Rockliff Government Priorities
In another shocking failure to address the state’s health crisis, the Rockliff Government has quietly watered down the expansion of the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Emergency Department.
This critical redevelopment now has a significantly reduced budget than was initially recommended, which nurses and doctors have confirmed will not meet the needs of Tasmanians seeking emergency healthcare.
Is this a sign of what’s to come in the upcoming State Budget? First it was vacancy control, now it’s underfunding the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department redevelopment – which critical service will be next?
The Liberals are now underfunding vital changes needed to fix our hospital and provide the Tasmanian people with the urgent healthcare they need. It beggars belief, especially as they push ahead with their unpopular and unneeded stadium in Hobart.
In the same week it’s revealed the Liberals’ funding is $19 million below the amount needed to make the RHH’s emergency department fit for purpose, they released the first pictures of their billion dollar Macquarie Point stadium. It’s a brutal reality check for Tasmanians about the Rockliff Government’s priorities.
Without the expansion of the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Room, we will continue to see ambulances ramped and people waiting in emergency for hours.
The Rockliff Government must put the Tasmanian people first. These upgrades are a key part of addressing the systemic issues in the healthcare system, and ensuring people can access the medical help they need, when they need it.
Chris
July 15, 2024 at 15:30
Typical! All big potato lies!
Roderick
July 16, 2024 at 22:14
The Liberal governments of Tasmania have always served big things, but not the people.
Big salmon, big pulp mill, big Grand Chancellor hotel, big trees cut down, big businesses, big dams, big Trump, big lies, big lack of transparency, big transmission towers, big marinus link, big Basslink, big stadium, big Bridgewater bridge, big mines, big pollution, big environmental destruction, big political bribe, big donors, big gambling, big horse racing, big greyhound racing, big football, big basketball, big secrecy, big development .. and the list goes on and on.
Meanwhile the Labor leader trained by Paul Lennon might as well follow the Ogilvie woman and join the Liberal government, as there is little difference between the two. If the Liberal governments were genuinely concerned about the real big issues, they would have done something about them many years ago.
So the current Liberal premier of Tasmania has publicly expressed his commiserations to Donald Trump. Trump probably would not know where Tasmania is located, or why a small state premier would state his sentiments regarding the “assassination” attempt.
Of course, the more intelligent Tasmanians continue to depart our island, and we are left with those who appear to be of diminished intelligence and awareness.
Sonia
July 22, 2024 at 09:52
You forgot Big Tourism which is locking up Tasmanian parks and making it impossible for young Tasmanian children and families to afford to experience our wild spaces.
Tasmanian citizens live in the state with the most restrictions and government red tape, yet we have the poorest living conditions in Australia.
Roderick
July 24, 2024 at 23:16
Dear Sonia, red tape is not red. It is pink, and you seal it with red wax.
I am old enough to remember when you did not have to pay to enter our parks – and yet it is costly now. Why should Tasmanians have to pay to enter our special natural places? ‘Maintenance’, the government opines. Well if our environment was not overrun by massive numbers of tourists and private enterprises, perhaps we would not have to pay to enter. Regulation is important to stop inappropriate redneck governments and developers destroying the very things that we Tasmanians have previously enjoyed at no cost.
Pigs and potatoes do appear to fly!