Remedies to the troubles with Tasmania’s health and housing have been laid out in Labor’s alternative budget as it looks to claw back government at the next election.
Health services in the regions will gain special attention and incentive schemes are aimed at increasing housing supply.
Leader Rebecca White laying out the case for Labor in parliament.
“A Tasmanian Labor government will act immediately to start addressing the health crisis in Tasmania’s regions by investing in regional and remote health infrastructure and workers,” Ms White told Parliament.
Labor’s plan will look to expand services at 18 regional hospitals and health facilities across Tasmania, including the New Norfolk District Hospital, Huon Regional Care at Franklin, Esperance Multi-purpose Centre at Dover, the Tasman Multi-Purpose Centre, the Midlands Multi-Purpose Centre in Oatlands and The May Shaw Health Centre at Swansea.
Extra paramedics would also be employed to provide 24/7 coverage.
“Within the next four years, and at a total cost of $28.4m, a Labor government will employ more than 200 additional staff across Tasmania’s regional health system,” she said.
Labor will also expand the MyHome program, boosting funding by $20 million. It will see 200 more Tasmanians being able to get a foot in the door of home ownership, by enabling them to buy a home with a deposit of just 2 per cent.
She said Labor’s Right Priorities Plan is about delivering better essential services for Tasmanians and supporting people to have a good job in a strong economy.