The Premier's desperate attempts to keep his Government afloat have been exposed in Question Time today.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said that the Premier promised Member for Clark, Sue Hickey a new state of the art 50 bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mental health facility in Hobart in exchange for her staying in the Liberal Party.
In a statement on 5 July 2019, Ms Hickey said "Today the Premier and I have committed to working with the Minister for Mental Health the Hon Jeremy Rockliff at St Johns Park a state of the art Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation centre. My vison (sic) is for a 50 bed facility including step down units and 10 of these beds would be devoted to adolescent for mental Health conditions. It was agreed that work would be commenced immediately on this proposal with a view to completing the project as soon as possible."
In Parliament today Mr Hodgman failed to commit to the project, or provide any funding arrangements or development timelines.
"This was the Premier's promise to drag his government back from the brink of collapse," Ms Lovell said.
"It is now clear that the promise was a sham.
"Does the Member for Clark, Sue Hickey, still support the need for additional drug and alcohol rehabilitation services?
"Or has she allowed herself to be played for a fool by the Premier?
"It is shameful that people needing drug and alcohol support have been given false hope by a government that has no intention of delivering on its promises.
"Tasmanians deserve better than the lies, chaos and dysfunction from the Hodgman Government.
"The Government should actually be engaging with the health sector to provide the services and facilities the community needs."
Sarah Lovell MP
Shadow Health Minister
