Labor’s promise to give Tasmania’s health system the fresh start it needs after 11 years of the Liberals has become even stronger, with the announcement of new initiatives to support TassieDoc and the wider GP network.

In addition to doubling the number of TassieDoc clinics from five to ten, a Dean Winter Labor Government will pass legislation to ensure GP contractors are never hit with payroll tax, and introduce an exemption for GP registrars.

We need to reward clinics that take on trainee doctors, not punish them with taxes.

Labor will also establish an ongoing State-Federal Tasmanian Doctor Recruitment Taskforce to continue to train and retain doctors in Tasmania.

This taskforce will make a dedicated effort every day for the next four years to bring more doctors to the state, so it’s even easier for Tasmanians to see a GP when they need it.

These initiatives will complement Labor’s investment in the workforce to help deliver TassieDoc, which already includes incentives for 150 more doctors, support for rural and regional practices, and scholarships for midwives and frontline workers.

We’re doing this, because after 11 years of the Liberals, Tasmanians shouldn’t have to wait any longer to see a doctor for free.

It’s time for a fresh start, and the only way to see that happen is to vote Labor.