Outpatient waiting list reaches new highs as Archer fails to stand up to $700 million health cuts

Health Minister Bridget Archer has now been Acting Premier for half a week.

In that time, she’s spoken about a number of issues including live music in pubs, but she hasn’t said a peep about the health system the Liberals are decimating on her watch.

This week, less than 50 per cent of patients have been seen on time in the state’s EDs, the Government is consistently missing its ramping ban targets and the outpatient waiting list has spiked to a record 77,670 – up more than 10 per cent in just six months.

On average, Tasmanians are spending 425 days stuck on the list, or one year and two months.

According to page 170 of the Health Department’s most recent Annual Report, approximately $480 million was spent on outpatient services in 2024-25*.

Fast forward to Eric Abetz’s 2026-27 Budget, the Government is only planning to spend a little over $385 million – that’s $95 million less**. With cuts like these, it’s no wonder the list keeps getting longer.

But despite our hospitals being at breaking point, Minister Archer hasn’t just watched on while Eric Abetz is cutting $700 million from the healthcare system, she’s backed him in.

After 13 years, Premier Rockliff put Eric Abetz in charge of cutting jobs and services to pay for the Liberals’ waste, and the Treasurer went straight to the health system.

Minister Archer wants Tasmanians to think she stands up for things she believes in. Based on that logic she clearly doesn’t believe in our health system, which simply can’t withstand $700 million worth of Liberal cuts.