The public release of the Launceston General Hospital masterplan is welcome, however with no funding secured it will remain little more than a plan.
Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said it was all well and good for the government to announce and launch yet another plan, but there were a number of unanswered questions about how this project would be funded.
“The government need to tell Tasmanians how they will pay for the LGH redevelopment,” Ms Dow said.
“We know that this development will cost $580 million and we know that there is $0 in the budget for it.
“Tasmanians are tired of hollow announcements and despite the LGH upgrade being the signature health commitment of the Gutwein Government, there is nothing in the state budget to fund the project and it is totally dependent on funding from Canberra.”
Ms Dow said Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff had failed to lodge a formal request for the funding.
“Just last month Minister Rockliff told Budget Estimates that he had “briefly” discussed the funding arrangements with Member for Bass Bridget Archer and he “mentioned” the project to the Federal Health Minister, yet no formal funding request was made.
“We know this week that Minister Rockliff signed a joint letter to the Federal Government asking for additional funding to help the health system get through the current COVID-19 challenges, why hasn’t he also formally asked for funding for the LGH redevelopment?
“Tasmania’s health system is at breaking point and Tasmanians need action not more health announcements.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
