Health Minister Guy Barnett must be up front with Tasmanians and outline how much is being spent employing agency nurses.
In response to a Question on Notice, the Rockliff Government could not answer how many agency nurses have been engaged across the state to fill nursing gaps and the cost to employ them.
Rather than employ enough nurses at our hospitals and relieve pressure on our dedicated workforce, the government has chosen to rely on the costlier option of using agencies to fill the void.
With a third of the state’s budget allocated to the operational expenditure of the health system – and an average $7.25 million being spent a day – it is flabbergasting that this information isn’t available.
How much is this costing us, Minister?
Minister Barnett and his predecessor Premier Jeremy Rockliff have failed to demonstrate they have a plan to address recruitment and retention across our health workforce, which will see the health crisis worsen.
The Rockliff Government is inept at providing any leadership in Tasmania and their continual refusal to be open and transparent with Tasmanians on how their money is being spent is wearing thin.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
