Media Opportunity

The Minister will be available for interview TODAY at 10.30am, at St George's
Square, Launceston.

The Minister for Health, Michelle O'Byrne, today said Tasmanians should be concerned about the growing closeness of the Tasmanian Liberals and the new Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman.

Mr Newman is returning to Tasmania, his home state, where he will be the guest of honour at a gala Liberal fundraising dinner in Launceston on Saturday.

"In a few short months as Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman has shown complete contempt for the public service - slashing up to 14,000 jobs, including more than 4000 in health," Ms O'Byrne said.

"Just when the Tasmanian Liberals should be distancing themselves from Mr Newman's savage and ideological cuts, they're actually going to wine and dine him as a guest of honour, as an example to follow."

Ms O'Byrne said the Tasmanian Government reacted quickly and responsibly to significant falls in GST revenue, keeping the community informed about the situation and response at every step of the way.

"Will Hodgman and the rest of the Liberals have been dishonest with the people of Tasmania," she said."They have offered only empty promises and motherhood statements - it's clear that Liberal leaders only show their true colours when they win government."

On May 9th, 2011, as opposition leader, Mr Newman was quoted by the Brisbane Times as saying about Queensland's public service:

"I'm saying no cutbacks. I'm saying today I don't think there are any cutbacks required."

Just 15 months later, on August 26, 2012, Mr Newman was reported as saying that Queensland had 20,000 more public servants than it could afford, and ordered his Ministers off to start sharpening the axes.

Just last month, 14,000 Queensland public servants lost their jobs overnight - including more than 4000 in health, equalling 6 per cent of the workforce.

"It's the same all over. In NSW, Barry O'Farrell promised no cuts but now they are slashing $3 billion from the health budget. Colin Barnett and the Liberals in Western Australia are privatising some health services.

"He may try to be all things to all people but it is clear that by parading Campbell Newman in Tasmania, Mr Hodgman fully supports his job-slashing mantra, and would do exactly the same in Tasmania, if he ever won government.

"The Liberals try and be all things to all people - but in government they show their true colours," Ms O'Byrne said.