Health Minister Michael Ferguson stands firm in face of call from Speaker Sue Hickey to ‘consider his position’

UPDATED: Labor has unsuccessfully moved a no-confidence motion in Health Minister Michael Ferguson for the second day in a row.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson.

UPDATED: HEALTH Minister Michael Ferguson has survived the threat of a second no-confidence motion in two days after the Lower House of State Parliament spent Wednesday achieving little more than debating the merits of government ministers.

Labor’s attempt to embarrass the Health Minister and to censure housing minister Roger Jaensch were doomed from the outset, but nevertheless consumed several hours of parliamentary time.

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST HEALTH MINISTER

Labor leader Rebecca White twice tried to suspend standing orders to debate the motions. Both attempts failed.

Speaker Sue Hickey began Wednesday with a broadside at the Government of which she is nominally a member over housing and health.

Ms Hickey told ABC Radio it was time for Mr Ferguson to “consider his position” as the public health system strains under growing demand.

She later moderated her remarks,

“Michael Ferguson is a very competent minister and he’s a really nice guy when you actually get to know him,” she told reporters at an afternoon press conference.

“He probably sometimes comes across as a little arrogant … but I do think he is giving it his all.

“This is one of the most massive portfolios we’ve got and I think he needs the support of the whole party to do that job.”

She said an “overworked” Mr Ferguson had lost the confidence of doctors and nurses but she said she would not support a motion of no confidence in him “at this point in time” saying he needed an assistant minister for health to be appointed.

Labor leader Rebecca White continued her push against Health Minister Michael Ferguson.

Ms White repeatedly called on Mr Ferguson to resign.

“There is no doubt that you are struggling in your portfolio,” she said.

“Right across the state patients are dying avoidable deaths and staff are struggling to do their job because of your incompetent handling of the Minister for Health’s portfolio.”

Mr Ferguson told Parliament he wanted stay on in the job.

“I feel very grateful to have the strong support of my colleagues. I feel very grateful for the

honour of performing a very difficult job as the Health Minister, a job that members opposite did not even want,” he said.

“We relish the opportunity to work to provide Tasmanians with a better health system.

“We take this job seriously. It is not a game. It should never be a game. It should not

be a political fun sport.”

Ms Hickey earlier accused the government of “not giving a s... about the homeless” after her plan for crisis housing met with resistance.

THEY JUST DON’T CARE, SAYS HICKEY

Speaker Sue Hickey. Picture: RICHARD JUPE.

“I think everyone is seeing for the first time that Hobart has a begging problem and that it quite distressing,” she said.

“We all know it goes on in Sydney and big cities around the world but when you face it in your own city — this is a turning point in our city’s history and it’s a really sad reflection that were not able to keep up with looking after our most vulnerable.”

But she said further talks had taken place yesterday.

“Surprisingly, very productive. You would think they would be very cross with me, they have been ‘How can we sort this out?’”

In Parliament, Housing Minister Roger Jaesnch defended himself from Ms Hickey’s criticisms.

“I cannot account for the way that somebody else feels. What I need to do is to do my job to

the best of my capability,” he said.

Labor Housing spokeswoman Alison Standen accused the government of shielding Mr Jaesnch from the consequences of his own incompetence.

“Roger Jaensch should hang his head in shame for his inability to help Tasmanians caught in the housing crisis,” she said.

Thursday is the last sitting day for the House of Assembly before the winter recess,

EARLIER: LABOR has moved yet another no-confidence motion in Health Minister Michael Ferguson, for the second day in a row — its fourth attempt in a month.

Labor leader Rebecca White moved the motion to suspend standing orders to allow debate on the motion after Question Time this morning.

Speaker of the House Sue Hickey this morning gave a radio interview in which she said Mr Ferguson had lost confidence of key stakeholders and should consider his position.

A similar move yesterday was defeated by the government’s superior numbers on the floor of the house and was condemned by the Premier as a time-wasting stunt.

Ms White taunted the government over its reluctance to allow the debate.

“Why are you protecting this minister, why won’t you allow the debate?” she asked.

“Is it the case that Mr Ferguson’s incompetence [on] the issue that will bring this government down?

“The Minister for Health must be tested on his question, the government must allow the debate.”

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Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government supported Mr Ferguson wholeheartedly in his role.

“I do know this minister is dedicated to his portfolio and does listen to key stakeholders in our health system.

Mr Ferguson’s handling of the health system has dominated proceedings in question time in recent weeks.

Labor today called upon him to resign and claimed the government had a replacement for Mr Ferguson in mind.

EARLIER: HEALTH Minister Michael Ferguson says he is grateful to hold his portfolio after Speaker Sue Hickey suggested he step aside.

Ms Hickey told ABC this morning it was time for Mr Ferguson to “consider his position” as the public health system strains under growing demand.

Opposition leader Rebecca White asked Mr Ferguson this morning whether he would take Ms Hickey’s advice, arguing he had lost the confidence of doctors and nurses.

Mr Ferguson told the Lower House he took his job seriously.

“I feel very grateful to have the strong support of my colleagues and I feel very grateful for the honour of performing a difficult job of Health Minister,” the Bass MP said.

“This government embraces the issues to give Tasmanians what they deserve … and what they deserve is a government, a minister who’s committed to the (job).

“It’s not about the individual, it’s about the team that brings the efforts to bear.”

Ms Hickey has previously suggested Mr Ferguson was overworked. The veteran Liberal also holds the massive Police and Emergency Services portfolio.