Today in question time, the Premier yet again refused to rule out slashing the front-line health jobs we cannot afford to lose.

The Premier refused to rule out vacancy control for radiology jobs. Radiology staff play a vital role in treating serious injuries and diagnosing conditions, including cancer. They’re also an essential part of the discharge process, particularly for people who’ve received elective surgery.

The Premier refused to rule out vacancy control for dental jobs. On the Liberals’ watch, 15,000 Tasmanians on a dental waiting list are now waiting, on average, more than four years for an appointment.

The Premier refused to rule out vacancy control for Ambulance Tasmania jobs. The ambulance service is under extreme pressure, with response times at record levels, workers being pushed to the brink and ramping still rampant.

The Premier refused to rule out vacancy control for Child Health and Parenting Service jobs. Does that mean the Liberals think Tasmania can afford to cut workers who deliver breastfeeding support for new parents? Safe sleeping advice? Immunisation, nutrition and a range of other child health and development services?

Make no mistake – not filling vacancies has the same practical effect as job cuts.

The Liberal Government needs to explain why front-line health workers have to pay the price for their budget mismanagement. It’s clear that the Tasmanian health system cannot afford any cuts to front-line health services, yet the Liberals have failed to rule them out.

Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Minister for Health