Six days since Labor Shadow Health Minister Dr Bastian Seidel challenged Peter Gutwein and Sarah Courtney to a public debate on the key election issue of health, there has still been no reply from the Liberal Party.
Dr Seidel said while Sarah Courtney was happy snipe about health in print in the weekend’s newspaper, she was clearly running scared from facing him and the voters of Tasmania.
“I think every Tasmanian knows why the Liberals will not debate me despite health clearly being the biggest issue in this election,” Dr Seidel said.
“They are ashamed of their record of seven years of chaos and dysfunction in our hospitals.
“Tasmania’s health system is in crisis and it has happened on the Liberal Party’s watch.
“The state’s health system is the worst in the nation and people are dying.
“Labor’s Health Action Plan will address the root of the problem and provide 24/7 care in rural and regional areas.”
Dr Seidel said the Liberal Party’s decision not to commit to a health debate showed they were ashamed of their record.
“The people of Tasmania want the debate, I want the debate, but Sarah Courtney and the Liberal Party don’t want to be accountable for their health failures.
“So I’ll make it easy for them – I’ll travel up to Launceston on Thursday so Sarah Courtney can make no excuses not to turn up.
“The Invermay Bowls Club is booked and ready for a 1pm start.
“I encourage members of the public who have been failed by the health system to come along and share their stories with the Health Minister.
