If the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment is in fact ‘in crisis’, the Health Minister, Michael Ferguson, should personally brief all Members of Parliament as well as union and key health sector organisations, Greens Shadow Health spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said today.
“Mr Ferguson has pulled the plug on the long overdue RHH redevelopment, claiming it’s in crisis and with a $70million blow out. With strong indicators the government will scale back the redevelopment, there is no reason for us to take him on trust. We need to see the evidence.”
“You cannot claim a crisis and expect Tasmanians to believe it, without being open and presenting the evidence.”
“Minister Ferguson is refusing to commit to the full redevelopment but says he will ‘fix’ the mess. Well, a wider community than Cabinet, including his colleagues in Parliament from all parties and both Houses should be included in the discussion and deliberation.”
“The Minister also needs to reassure Tasmanians that he won’t cut the State’s $225 million commitment to the redevelopment which is allocated in the Forward Estimates.”
“This redevelopment is too important to the future of quality public health care in Tasmania. Minister Ferguson has an opportunity to take the politics out of the issue by being more open about the redevelopment.”
“Here is his invitation to do so, and to ensure we are all working together towards redeveloping the Royal Hobart Hospital and delivering the best possible outcomes for patients and staff,” Ms O’Connor.
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Shadow Health spokesperson
