Tasmanians need information, transparency and assurance from their government as this serious new COVID wave wreaks havoc on an already broken and critically under-resourced health and hospital system.
With the Premier on leave, Acting Premier Michael Ferguson must today offer more than words as hundreds of Tasmanians are diagnosed with COVID each day, frontline health staff are so exhausted nurses are planning strike action and the Rockliff-Ferguson Government has failed to outline its so-called "plan".
Mr Ferguson - a failed former Health Minister - must offer transparent information to the community about transmission and the current public health advice.
The lack of information coming from the government about their plan to deal with the latest wave of the pandemic is startling.
With over 9,000 Tasmanians on the elective surgery waiting lists and 56,000 more on the hidden waiting list to see a specialist, when can these Tasmanians expect to get their necessary surgery?
And what is the plan to alleviate the unprecedented pressure on nurses and other frontline health staff as the AMNF - as a last resort after failing to get answers from the Rockliff-Ferguson Government- announce strike action next week?
The pandemic is wreaking havoc across our community, economy and health and hospital system.
The last thing Tasmanians need is a half-time Health Minister who won't turn up and give people answers as the health crisis worsens.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
