After delivering the worst budget in Tasmania’s history, Treasurer Guy Barnett has been completely absent from the election campaign.
And it’s no wonder why.
The costings the Liberals submitted to the TCCI are a complete sham – and Barnett is clearly too embarrassed to defend them.
The Liberals are claiming they’ll only spend an extra $2 million on health over the next four years. That’s not just wrong – it’s a deliberate lie because they have committed to matching part of Labor’s TassieDoc program, which alone is an $18 million operational spend.
On top of that, they’ve made a long list of additional health promises, including:
The Liberals are claiming they’ll only spend an extra $2 million on health over the next four years. That’s not just wrong – it’s a deliberate lie because they have committed to matching part of Labor’s TassieDoc program, which alone is an $18 million operational spend.
On top of that, they’ve made a long list of additional health promises, including:
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Tasmanian Breast Care Centre (costed by Treasury at $45 million in operational funding)
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IVF Treatment Rebate ($5 million)
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The Bubble ($3.8 million)
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Expansion of mammogram sites
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Meningococcal B vaccination program
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Pharmacy subsidies to extend hours
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Nurse practitioner scholarships and private practice support
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Bicheno Medical Clinic expansion ($500,000)
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Medical transport solution
Not to mention more than $400 million in health infrastructure commitments. Yet somehow, the Liberals expect Tasmanians to believe they’re delivering all of this with no additional debt.
Buried in the fine print of their submission is the real plan: more hidden cuts they won’t reveal before Tasmanians go to the polls.
“Further, a re-elected Liberal Government remains committed to ensuring the public service is efficient and productive while being the right size and delivering the right services. It is noted that many efficiency, productivity and other measures are not included in the current savings profile.”
That’s Liberal code for slashing services and hiding the details until it’s too late for Tasmanians to know the truth.
The Treasurer’s management of the state’s finances has been so dire that Jeremy Rockliff is working to bring Michael Ferguson back into his cabinet.
While the Liberals are dodging scrutiny and hiding cuts, Labor has put forward a fully costed, responsible plan that invests in Tasmania’s future without cooking the books.
It’s time for a fresh start for Tasmania. And the best way to change the government is to vote Labor.
It’s time for a fresh start for Tasmania. And the best way to change the government is to vote Labor.
Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer
Shadow Treasurer
