A reduction in the budget of the planned Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department Expansion – project described by the Health Department as a ‘beacon of hope’ for our healthcare system – shows the Liberal-Lambie health cuts aren’t confined to jobs alone.

A Department of Health submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works dated 28 November 2023 said “A funding allocation to the amount of $149 million has been provided by the Tasmanian State Government for the entire Emergency Department Expansion Phase 2 project from the RHH Redevelopment Stage 2 budget of $201 million.”

The $149 million expansion was then recommended by the Committee in February this year.

Today, in response to concerns raised by the AMA and the ANMF that the expansion was receiving a significant haircut, the Acting Health Secretary told ABC radio that the budget was $130 million – a 13 per cent decrease than what was committed to by the government last year.

Cuts to the planned expansion are particularly worrying given they come on top of the government’s controversial vacancy control measures which could see hundreds of jobs slashed.

Tasmania’s health system is sick enough – whether it’s jobs or infrastructure, it can’t afford the Liberal-Lambie health cuts.

Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Minister for Health