Tasmanian Parliament debates no-confidence motion in health minister Michael Ferguson

A no-confidence motion against Health Minister Michael Ferguson was finally defeated late on Tuesday night after Speaker Sue Hickey sided with the State Government.

A no-confidence motion against Health Minister Michael Ferguson was finally defeated late on Tuesday night after Speaker Sue Hickey sided with the State Government.

Most of the sitting day was taken up with the debate, which began after question time at 11am.

After hours of debate a vote about 11pm was split at 11-11, with Ms Hickey casting the deciding vote.

Ms Hickey said she sided with the Government for the sake of stability but hoped it heeded the warning.

Earlier, Labor leader Rebecca White moved the 17-point, 600 word, no-confidence motion in Mr Ferguson.

It condemned the minister on a range of issues including funding cuts, ambulance ramping, long waiting lists, unsafe conditions, for staff and patients and the lack of availability of medical abortions

Ms White said more people died of preventable medical complications than died on the state’s roads.

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“The minister is incapable of looking after the health of Tasmanians and whatever excuse he offers is too late after five years of neglect,” she said.

“There are patients dying who should not be dying, that is a fact.

“There are people in our community who are worried about what might happen if they have to turn up in the Emergency Department.

“There are staff who are worried about the patients in their care.

“And the minister is in denial about the crisis the health system is facing.”

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Health Minister Michael Ferguson speaking in State Parliament today. Picture: DAVID KILLICK

Premier Will Hodgman described the motion as lazy, shallow politics which would do nothing to help health outcomes in Tasmania.

“This is another in a long line of Labor stunts,” he said.

“I will say very clearly from the outset that I and my government have confidence in minister Ferguson, the job he has done and the job he continues to do.

“Of course we recognise there is a lot more to do, we accept responsibility for it every day of the week. It is you lot who are all care and no responsibility.

“We’ve never said there was no problem and we never said there was no more to be done — and we are working with our health leadership on solutions which is what Tasmanians want.

“You use people and their circumstances to score political points whenever it suits.

“We will continue to focus on what is important and that is improving the lives of Tasmanians who need health care.”

He said Labor stood for nothing and offered nothing and the motion was a tactic to stall government legislation.

Mr Ferguson came under concerted attack in question time, being on the receiving end of every question from the opposition parties.