Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has failed to explain the impact of budget cuts on her department.
Shadow Minister Rebecca White said despite the budget being delayed until the end of August, the Minister couldn’t tell today’s estimates hearing how much pain will be felt in her portfolio.
“The Minister either doesn’t know or is deliberately keeping Tasmanians in the dark,” Ms White said.
“The estimates process is about answering specific questions, not regurgitating pre-prepared statements.
“So much of this morning’s session was spent covering old ground. It’s a waste of Parliament’s time.”
The Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Pervan, indicated it was possible to calculate the hit to supplies and consumables.
“Mr Pervan intimated that his department would simply receive a smaller allocation,” Ms White said.
“It begs the question as to whether other departments know how much of the ambitious target of $119 million they are responsible for.
“The budget claims all of the $119 million has been identified, but apart from a few umbrellas getting the chop, Tasmanians are waiting to discover what’s going to be cut.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister
