At a well-attended meeting last night of AMA members and senior medical staff, a resolution was passed overwhelmingly which called on the Tasmanian Premier, The Hon. Will Hodgman to stop attempts by the Liberal Government to cut remuneration of any specialist medical staff.
The meeting also called on the government to immediately withdraw its appeal against Tasmanian Industrial Commission President Tim Abey’s decision which updated the award for medical staff and to enter into genuine negotiations to finalize the Enterprise Agreement as a matter of urgency.
AMA President A/Prof Tim Greenaway said the meeting was appalled that the government is appealing the decision of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.
“The Tasmanian Health system is moving through a period of significant change and we need to retain our specialists,” said A/Prof Greenaway.
“Such actions will undermine the ability of the Tasmanian Health Service to attract and retain specialist medical staff.
“This flies in the face of efforts to reform the system and decrease waiting lists.”
The appeal is against a decision handed down by TIC President Tim Abey to ensure that specialists retain a minimum 35% private practice allowance. (T14358 of 2015)
AMA President A/Prof Tim Greenaway
