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Autumn 2005

The Time is NOW

With the Island economy powering, the strongest it has been in decades, and the prospect of zero public debt in Tasmania, HACSU has called on the State Government to look at making some major investments in a number of areas within health and community services.

HACSU State Secretary, Chris Brown, says the State Government must seize this opportunity to address some chronic, ongoing problems in the health and disability services system in particular.

"It is important to acknowledge the great job this State Government has done on our economy. We are now close to paying back a
$1.3 billion debt they inherited when they came to office," Chris Brown said.

"That's an historic achievement. But it's not an end in itself. This State Government will not be judged on the size of a surplus but on the quality of the public services it provides."

"A strong economy and a debt-free status gives us a rare opportunity to invest in a number of chronic ongoing problems within the health and community services sectors."

"Recently the media has been highlighting issues within disability services, often unfairly maligning workers without knowing or
explaining the full circumstances."

"Disability services workers are placed in impossible situations, with insufficient staffing, poor training or no training, and with wages and conditions that have been held back by budget restrictions."

"We need to invest real resources into disability services so we can improve training and conditions for these workers and improve services to some of the most disadvantaged Tasmanians."

"For disability workers to be run down like that in the media is wrong. These are workers doing a tough job under very difficult circumstances."

"Another area which needs more investment is mental health. Whilst the recent package was very welcome, funding for mental health is coming off a very low base and this area will need to be continuously monitored and reviewed."

"The importance of early intervention and investment in community based services is crucial in mental health."

"The allied health sector is also central to the quality of our health system. We have to make sure we attract and retain health professionals so we can keep these services on the Island. Loss of these services will cost Tasmanians a lot more if they have to travel to the mainland to access them."

"This is an area of expanding demand and we need to attract health professionals in sufficient numbers to cope with this demand. That's all about providing competitive wages and conditions with the mainland."

"There are also a range of very effective smaller units and services, such as the Huntington's Disease Service operating out of the LGH, which could do with funding and status security, as well as additional funds."

"The State Government is in a position to make a difference in all of these areas, providing quality services to Tasmanian into the future."

"We'll be lobbying Government very hard over the coming months to try to make sure these problems are dealt with in the State budget."