The Rockliff-Ferguson Government’s wages policy results in a wage cut of more than three per cent for each of Tasmania’s nurses, paramedics, doctors, public health staff and others in the state’s health and hospital system.
The policy – described by Treasurer Michael Ferguson in his budget as a “reality check” – is a slap in the face to thousands of hardworking health workers at the frontline who have given so much to protect and care for Tasmanians over the past two years of COVID.
These workers need action on wages, not hollow words from this government.
Day after day these crucial staff work in a system that is falling apart at the seams and they do so for less pay than they would receive anywhere else in the country.
The ANMF has described morale among them as “hanging by a thread” and says the Rockliff-Ferguson budget is indicative of a government that has “no insight into the major risk the health system is facing when it comes to having a workforce to deliver health services”.
It’s beyond belief that Mr Rockliff and Mr Ferguson would impose a three per cent pay cut in real terms upon these workers.
If Mr Rockliff believes that is OK, it is him who needs a reality check.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
