Liberals are actually planning on spending less in our hospitals
Spending in the Tasmanian Health Service set to decrease by $15 million
How can you tackle a crisis by spending less?
Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said there are grave concerns over whether the Hodgman Government’s commitment to health will properly address the crisis in our hospitals.
“The Government’s spending less in Tasmania’s hospitals,” Mr Bacon said.
“If you compare what’s budgeted to be spent over the next 12 months to what was actually spent over the last year, it’s a reduction of $15 million.
“The “record” increase in spending the Government is boasting about ignores the real cost of delivering health services.
“The Government is comparing budget projections, not spending in real terms.
“The Budget papers reveal that the actual spending on health in 2016/17 is $1.475 billion. The Government has budgeted for $1.460 billion in 2017/18.”
Economist John Lawrence argues*, “if the system is in crisis spending less is unlikely to fix the problem”.
“The Government is trying to fix the crisis in our hospitals by spending $15 million less than last year,” Mr Bacon said.
“Tasmanians will rightly expect this budget to have an immediate impact on services in our hospitals, especially in emergency departments.
“That will be the true test for Will Hodgman, Peter Gutwein and Michael Ferguson.”
*http://tasfintalk.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/budget-pork.html?m=1
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Treasurer
