• Stalling tactics of Minister leave community in limbo
• Ferguson fails to fight for Tasmania
• D-Day to pass with no deal in place
The North-West community needs certainty around the Mersey hospital – not the frustration of being left in limbo by the Hodgman and Turnbull Governments.
“Today Michael Ferguson gave his so-called ‘message of reassurance’ and claimed to have struck a deal on the Mersey but refused to give any detail,” Labor Leader Rebecca White said.
“A clause in the existing heads of agreement stipulates an extension to the contract should be signed before March 31 – three months before funding expires. That is today.
“Mr Ferguson waited until D-Day to effectively announce nothing – he said himself ‘today’s not a day for me to go into detail’.
“Frankly, this is a failure of a Minister who has never fought publicly for a fair deal from Canberra.
“He is being secretive with details the community and staff deserve to know.
“Time and again the Hodgman Liberal Government won’t stand up to Canberra as Tasmania gets a raw deal.
“Michael Ferguson should have been publicly lobbying Health Ministers Sussan Ley and then Greg Hunt to lock this deal in.
“Now staff and the community are left wondering about their fate. It is unacceptable.”
Rebecca White MP Labor Leader
