Health Minister Michael Ferguson under fire over budget estimates answers

AN Upper House MP has labelled Health Minister Michael Ferguson’s lack of detailed answers to questions on notice an insult and disgrace during a budget estimates hearing this morning.

MLC Ruth Forrest during this week’s budget estimates. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

AN Upper House MP has labelled Health Minister Michael Ferguson’s lack of detailed answers to questions on notice an insult and disgrace during a budget estimates hearing this morning.

MLC Ruth Forrest said she had provided four questions of notice 10 days ago ahead of the health estimates session.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

She said answers had been provided for only two questions and those answers were lacking in detail and appeared to be “designed to confuse”.

Mr Ferguson said he had provided as much detail as possible last night, with no intention to confuse.

The breakdown of health funding in the Budget, particularly the designation of $100 million over four years under finance general, as well as nursing recruitment and Telehealth were the dominant topics of discussion today.

“On the 7th of February, the first Telehealth appointment for a resident on King Island was conducted with the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Wellington Clinic, saving them the cost of flights and on-ground costs of travelling to the Royal or the North West Regional Hospital,” Mr Ferguson said.

The hearing continues this afternoon.

MORE BUDGET ESTIMATES:

PRESSURE ON PETRUSMA OVER RTI REQUESTS

QUESTIONS OVER FUTURE OF FORESTRY

LOCUM BILL TIPPED TO PASS $27M

GUTWEIN ‘APPALLED’ AT TASWATER