Union anger at unfilled Tasmanian health jobs

Hard working health staff say a leaked memo has them fearing the worst. This is a health system that is failing Tasmanians already and if this goes ahead Tasmanians will die. Sent by the acting Deputy Secretary of Community Mental Health and well-being, the memo warns of a budget position that's deteriorated significantly and sets up a vacancy control committee which will decide if jobs need to be filled before advertising. In the middle of a health crisis, the Government is talking about sweeping job cuts across the health system. In terms of what's been said today by the Labour Party and Haksu, it is grossly misleading. He says even though the measure is in place across the whole department, doctors, nurses and paramedics won't be affected. Tasmanians would expect the healthcare, the health department and indeed other departments to have the right roles and to ensure that it's fit for purpose. Past history tells us when vacancy control committees are put in place, our members, nurses and midwives end up picking up three positions instead of their core clinical position. Already considering industrial action over 500 vacancies across the health system, the nurses union is seeing red. You know, our view is that we'll further decimate the nursing and member of free professions in Tasmania and our members are concerned that it's going to put lives at risk. Unions are fearful the cuts won't just be confined to the health department. Government departments were asked to make savings last year and there's speculation September's budget could ask them to tighten their belts even further. We need to know from the Premier what are the instructions he's given to agencies around the efficiency, dividend and job cuts. Public servants say they'll have no hesitation heading to the streets if they're asked to cut too deep.