Deputy Opposition leader Michelle O’Byrne lashes out at Premier contenders

Deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne neither of the two men vying to be Tasmania’s next Premier are qualified to fix the state’s health crisis.

Deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne has slammed the health management credentials of the two men vying for Tasmania’s top job. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne has slammed the health management credentials of the two men vying for Tasmania’s top job.

She said Michael Ferguson and Peter Gutwein were the “architects of the crisis in our health system” and she was frightened by their “underfunding and mismanagement”.

Both contenders declined to provide a response to Ms O’Byrne’s comments on Saturday.

“We are now presented with potential leaders, one of whom will be Premier by early next week, neither of whom have demonstrated any commitment to our health care system,” she said.

“(These include) the Treasurer – who has underfunded health to the tune of at least $100 million, potentially significantly more, and the former failed health minister, who has overseen significant impacts on our health system where our waiting lists have blown out, where our ambulance response times have blown out, where people are struggling to access basic health care.”

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She said whoever became Premier would need to take “a hard look at themselves” and “deliver a health system that Tasmanians need”.

“We have seen our health system deteriorate to a point where everyday Tasmanians are frightened that if they go to the hospital, they won’t get the care that they need, where people working in the health system are going home exhausted and stressed because they’re not able to provide the care that they know they need to provide,” she said.

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I’m hoping the shock of how unpopular (Mr Gutwein and Mr Ferguson) are within their own party – as we see this leadership battle play out – might get them to rethink the sort of leadership that they can provide.

“If they don’t, then I think that Tasmanians will continue to suffer, and that’s not acceptable for anyone.”

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