• Tasmanians want leadership – not evasion – on meningococcal
• Health Minister’s determination to keep Tasmanians in the dark is appalling
• Premier Hodgman must concede Michael Ferguson not up to the job
Missing in action Health Minister Michael Ferguson has now been five days in hiding as Tasmanians get no answers to crucial key questions about the prevalence of the meningococcal virus and vaccinations.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said since Michael Ferguson returned from annual leave last Friday, he has remained unacceptably silent on information Tasmanians require and deserve on how to protect their families and children.
“It’s astounding that Michael Ferguson and the Liberal Government were prepared to withhold information – until yesterday – which is critical to mums and dads who want to vaccinate their children,” Ms Lovell said.
“It’s unacceptable that this information about which strains of meningococcal families should be seeking to vaccinate against was not made public as children returned to school.
“It’s appalling that Michael Ferguson has made no move to provide these vaccinations so they are limited only to families who can afford them at the same time stocks are running low.
“It’s beyond time for Premier Hodgman to show leadership and concede that his Health Minister is just not up to the job, stand Michael Ferguson aside and appoint a Health Minister who is willing to act in the best interests of all Tasmanians.”
Sarah Lovell MLC Shadow Health and Preventative Health Care Minister
