Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his minority Liberal Government need to stop leaving the West Coast off the map.
After 10 years in office, the Liberal Government has let accommodation provided to essential health care workers go to rack and ruin, making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain these workers across the region.
Health and housing are both major issues on the West Coast and in this case the two are closely linked. These issues have been raised with me on many occasions.
It is alarming that recruited nurses are not taking up positions because the accommodation they are provided is in such bad condition.
There is a dire need of more health professionals and for better healthcare worker accommodation in the area, our valuable health workers deserve better than what is being provided.
It is clear that after 10 years of this Liberal Government, they have no plans to recruit and retain workers to the region and this is having a dreadful impact on the community's ability to access healthcare.
Looking after workers is in Labor's DNA and a Labor Government would ensure that our essential workers have access to accommodation.
Labor will work collaboratively with the West Coast Council and community to address the accommodation issue and invest in staffing at the West Coast District Hospital and Queenstown Ambulance Station to ensure than Tasmanians can access care close to where they live.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
