Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, the Commonwealth must intervene in the Tasmanian health system. Waiting times are the longest of any state. For example, it is 946 days for urgent gastro and liver appointments, and doctors tell me patients are dying while waiting for treatment. Moreover, bulk-billing by GPs is in truth declining. Ambulance Tasmania has the slowest response time of any state. No wonder the AMA has lost confidence and the Royal Hobart Hospital Staff Association warns of a severe risk to patient safety over this winter. Prime Minister, considering the federal government spends billions of dollars on Tasmanian health, will you now order an urgent inquiry into this dangerous, costly and avoidable fiasco?

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