Tasmania’s hospital system is literally being held together by sticky tape.
While Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff focuses on building a billion dollar stadium in the South, lighting machines in surgical theatres at the Launceston General Hospital are disintegrating.
The deteriorating condition of the lighting machines – which now sees the lights being held together by sticky tape - was highlighted by concerned staff in 2018 and again in July last year.
Premier Rockliff’s failure to address the issue immediately is potentially putting Tasmanians lives at risk.
After 10 years in office, the Liberal Government has failed to address the health crisis, instead allocating taxpayer money to build a billion dollar stadium.
More than 57,000 Tasmanians are currently on the waiting list to see a specialist – 32,000 more than when the Liberals were elected nearly 10 years ago. These are specialist appointments Tasmanians desperately need to get their necessary surgery.
Premier Rockliff clearly has his priorities wrong and his decisions are failing Tasmanians.
I call on the Rockliff Government to prioritise the health of Tasmanians and replace these surgical lights as a matter of urgency.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing