Union anger at health cuts
Tasmania’s Health Department has confirmed it has been told to cut costs immediately .
The department has responded to the government directive by issuing a list of 18 cost-cutting measures to managers including a review of staffing, strict rostering of leave, and switching mobile phones to Optus.
Managers have been told to look at part-time or job sharing arrangements for staff, and to monitor sickness rates and overtime.
Chris Brown, from the Health and Community Services Union, says there has been no consultation.
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The Australian Nursing Federation’s Neroli Ellis says health care will suffer.
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The Health Department secretary Alice Burchill says the measures were developed in line with the Premier’s instructions to improve public sector efficiencies.
• Mercury: Health scalpel begins to cut, HERE
And,
Job losses likely as wind farm owners split
Hydro Tasmania is to end its Roaring 40s wind farm development joint venture with China Light and Power.
Under the agreement it is proposed Roaring 40s wind farm assets will be divided.
Hydro Tasmania says there will be some redundancies as result of the announcement.
Chief executive Roy Adair says the state-owned company remains committed to developing the Musselroe wind farm.
Exaggatorial: HEALTH SHOCK HORROR … POLICE SHOCK HORROR: Dave Groves, HERE
• Tim Neal, President Tasmanian Division Australian Democrats
Once again the Tasmanian Government has its priorities all wrong. A freeze on hiring police and other front line emergency staff puts Tasmanians in danger. Cutting costs is very important. However these cuts need to be made in appropriate areas. Areas such as education, emergency services and health care should remain untouched. Any cuts in these fields would be tantamount to negligence. It is not, and will not be acceptable to Tasmanians to cut jobs in these areas.
If Ms Giddings and co were serious about wanting what’s best for Tasmania they would cut jobs in the non-essential public service. The state government should halt hiring in any administration positions in Service Tas. Salaries should be capped in the public service with no more pay rises for a period of time. All these measures would go a long way in reducing the debt. Job losses will be inevitable, however these shouldn’t be from essential services.
Maybe the financial situation isn’t that dire. No ministers are volunteering pay cuts.
