Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, has called out the State Labor party for their ongoing refusal to stand up to their Federal counterparts and advocate for Tasmania's interests.
"The evidence over a long period of time is very clear – Labor will do anything possible to run cover for Canberra, even at the expense of vulnerable Tasmanians," Minister Archer said.
"The pattern of behaviour is impossible to ignore.
"When the Federal Government tried to short-change Tasmania on the National Health Reform Agreement funding, Tasmanian Labor was silent.
"When the Federal Government cut palliative care funding, Tasmanian Labor was silent.
"When the Federal Government has consistently refused to strengthen GP access - silence.
"Now, even worse, they are stooping to new lows by dishonestly claiming the State refused funding for additional aged care support.
"We've made every effort to secure Commonwealth support for additional aged care capacity to help relieve pressure on our hospitals, and for Labor to claim otherwise is a slap in the face to every Tasmanian stuck in a hospital bed who doesn't need to be there.
"This issue isn't going away and Tasmanian Labor need to show some backbone and finally stand up to their federal colleagues.
