The Rockliff-Ferguson government needs to get its priorities right and start investing properly in Tasmania’s health system and supporting our nurses, midwives and other health workers.
Attending today’s ANMF Annual Delegates Conference with Labor Leader Rebecca White reinforced the huge toll overwork and under-resourcing in our public hospitals is taking on our valued health workers.
The ANMF has said morale among Tasmanian nurses and midwives is “hanging by a thread” and they are also struggling with cost-of-living pressures and the shortage of affordable housing.
On top of that, the Rockliff-Ferguson government expects them to take a real pay cut when they are already paid less than their mainland counterparts.
Victoria and NSW are providing a one-off payment of $3,000 to public health workers to thank them for their work during the pandemic.
But Tasmanian health workers have been left high and dry, with the Rockliff-Ferguson government offering nothing but a measly pay rise which isn’t even close to matching inflation and would amount to a real wage cut.
Not only that, but the Covid allowance offered by the government is nowhere near enough to provide adequate support.
With Tasmania’s health system in crisis, and massive waiting lists for elective surgery and specialist appointments, the Rockliff-Ferguson government needs get the basics right and take genuine action to support our nurses and midwives and other essential health workers.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
