‘Mediscare’ campaign was extremely effective in three Tasmanian seats lost by Liberals, says PM

THE Liberals are still smarting from the success of Labor’s “Mediscare” campaign in Tasmania.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visiting BreastScreen Tasmania in Hobart today. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

LABOR’S “Mediscare” campaign cut through in Tasmania more than other states and contributed to the loss of the Liberals’ “Three Amigos” in Bass, Braddon and Lyons in the July 2 poll, the Prime Minister said today.

Malcolm Turnbull told the Mercury that restoring the trust of Tasmanians in the public health system was critical.

“I think it was quite clear that our policies supported the economic growth in Tasmania but the Medicare campaign was extremely effective in those three seats,” he said.

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Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Breast Care nurse Terri Cooper and patient Carol Briscoe at BreastScreen Tasmania in Hobart today. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“It was an outrageous lie, it was about as dishonest as a political campaign could be right up to the point of sending older and more vulnerable Australians text messages which purported to come from Medicare itself which owing to a loophole in the law is not an offence.

“We need to address this vulnerability and restore the trust, especially the people targeted by Labor in the campaign.

He said a lack of assurance among people about the Liberals’ commitment to public health had provided a base for the success of the campaign.

The Liberals suffered a swing of nearly 10 per cent in the Bass electorate in northern Tasmania.

Earlier, Mr Turnbull said the Liberals had to be more engaged with the people they represented.

The PM today announced continued funding for three Tasmanian breast care nurses as part of a $20.5 million national commitment to the McGrath Foundation’s program.

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He was also set to attend an afternoon tea at City Hall before heading to Launceston for the Liberal Party state council meeting tomorrow.

Originally published as ‘Mediscare’ campaign was extremely effective in three Tasmanian seats lost by Liberals, says PM