Liberal ambulance “investment” is an Eric Abetz cut in disguise

Bridget Archer’s big ambulance funding announcement is already falling apart.

Today the Liberals announced they’ve budgeted $776.6 million for ambulance services over the forward estimates, and claimed it would strengthen frontline care.

But according to the Health Department’s Annual Report, actual ambulance spending was already $186.467 million in 2025.*

That means even if ambulance costs only rose by a very conservative 3 per cent each year, funding would need to be at least $780.1 million over four years to keep up.

That means Bridget Archer’s “investment” is actually a cut.

It is right there in black and white.

Tasmania’s ambulance system is already under enormous pressure, with paramedics stretched, ramping still hurting patients, and response times putting lives at risk.

The Liberals can dress this up however they like, but a funding package that fails to keep pace with basic cost growth like wages will not strengthen ambulance services.

After 13 years of the Liberals, they’re cutting jobs and services to pay for waste like legal fees for scandal-plagued members, and the Spirits fiasco.

This is exactly what Tasmanians were warned about. Premier Rockliff has put Eric Abetz in charge of cutting services.

Tasmanians deserve an ambulance service that is properly funded, properly staffed, and able to respond when people need help.

Instead, the Liberals are serving up spin and hoping nobody checks the numbers.