For the sake of completeness, the facts are:
“I know you will be interested and I am happy to tell you that I have received a briefing by way of a presentation from Deloitte very recently as part of a Cabinet subcommittee meeting. Noting that this work does relate to a Cabinet process, there are longstanding conventions in place. I am aware of your interest; I am aware of the public interest. While I stand by my statements on this matter to those who would prefer to believe otherwise that there is no report, I have asked the New Bed Implementation Team to prepare a summary for public release, including progress on the opening of the 120 additional beds and treatment recliners, as well as key findings from the work undertaken by Deloitte. I do not have a firm publication date at this time. A summary is currently being prepared, but I expect it to be released in the near future.”
The Government is now focussed on delivering this change in a consultative, measured and sensible manner, and I am today writing to major stakeholders to start the consultation process.
This cannot be rushed – to do so will put the change at risk and cut short our promised consultation.
In the meantime, I wish to assure all Tasmanians that our hospitals continue to operate safely and efficiently and they can be confident of getting the best available treatment.
While I welcome their support, I note at no time during the past nearly four years have either Labor or Greens proposed the abolition of the Governing Council which is set out in legislation.
Labor’s call to recall Parliament is nothing more than an expensive political stunt which would do nothing to improve our health system.