The Liberals have once again used their numbers to prevent debate of Parliament’s confidence in the embattled Health Minister Michael Ferguson.
Leader of Opposition Business David O’Byrne said damning letters from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation sent to Mr Ferguson and Premier Hodgman exposed the horrific situation in Tasmanian emergency departments on the Health Minister’s watch.
Mr O’Byrne said debate on the no confidence motion moved in light of the information was crushed by the government in an extraordinary display of protecting an incompetent, non-performing Minister.
“The only conclusion that can be reached is that the government believes it does not have the numbers for Mr Ferguson to survive a no confidence motion,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“Their solution to save this disaster of a Health Minister is to run a protection racket to avoid a vote in the Parliament.
“Even Liberal Member for Clark and Speaker Sue Hickey voted against the government’s gag in an attempt to allow the no confidence debate to occur. This itself is an indictment of Will Hodgman’s Premiership and the Health Minister.
“This is just the latest demonstration of this chaotic minority government in action.
“The health and hospital system is at a point of unprecedented crisis under Michael Ferguson, his relationship with health professionals is irretrievably broken and the Premier knows this but is just too weak to remove him from this critical portfolio.”
David O’Byrne MP
Leader of Opposition Business
