The Liberals have committed over $28 million to deliver new and expanded services that will make a significant difference to people’s lives.

The funding includes $5 million to begin an innovative new direct funding model Your Care, Your Choice to allow people with disabilities, their families and carers, to arrange the supports they require based on their individual circumstances.

In particular, mothers with children with disabilities have specifically told the Liberals this is the model they want to see adopted in Tasmania, because this program is flexible, individual and will make a real difference to their everyday lives.

They have also told us they need more respite options, and we have committed $6.1 million to significantly increase the range of respite available for families caring for people with disabilities in this State.

Unless regular respite can be provided, there is a real risk of families falling into crisis.

We have also provided $3 million for a no-interest loans scheme so that people with disabilities, families and carers can access funding for motor vehicle modifications or purchase, and home renovations.

Mr Whiteley said:

The Liberals’ funding also includes $3 million in additional funding for existing service providers.

We acknowledge there has been funding shortfalls under a State Labor Government, and providers are struggling to meet their service obligations.

Additional funding is needed to meet these shortfalls, and to meet the additional needs of elderly people in residential services who wish to ‘retire’ from attending day support services but are currently unable to do so.

A Hodgman Liberal Government also commits to providing more funding for National Disability Services as the peak body in a partnership to further research into unmet need, ensuring a disability workforce for the future and helping the public sector and business maximize employment for people with disabilities in the State.

The Liberals also begin, with the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania, the overdue process of developing a five-year, whole-of-government strategic plan for Acquired Brain Injury in Tasmania, with $95,000 to determine future services, support and resourcing.

This policy, combined with already announced policy for autism, the A-team, funding for Special Schools and a $4.5 million injection into the Community Equipment Scheme, for equipment, aids and technology, for people with disabilities, shows the Liberals are the only party at this election prepared to stand up for people with disabilities in Tasmania.

And only the Liberals will ensure real change for them, their families and carers.

I have been contacted by several parents of WPS students who are angry at the way the merger has been promoted and so-called ‘ballots’ counted.

Clearly, counting unreturned ballots as a ‘yes’ vote is a rort.

This lack of integrity in the process is compounded by:

• The poor communication with parents regarding the information session and confusion regarding the date of that session.
• The fact that people who reside in Waverley and have an affinity with the school but do not currently have students enrolled were excluded from the consultation which did take place.
• The fact that the neither the school, the department nor the minister released the results of the ballot, or even the level of participation.

As a result of these concerns I conducted an independent and voluntary survey of the community, which showed the following results:

Question 1 – Parents of WPS students only

Did you complete and return the survey form issued by the school which asked if you were in favour of a merger with St Leonards Primary School?

• No, I don’t remember receiving this (32%)
• No, I did receive it but didn’t return it (10%)
• Yes, I voted in support of the merger (0%)
• Yes, I voted against the merger (57%)

Number of parent responses: 40

Question 2.

Do you believe that parents who did not return a survey should have been counted as a “Yes” vote by the State Government?

• Yes (0%)
• No (95%)
• Undecided (5%)

Number of responses: 57

Question 3.

How do you feel about the plan for Waverley students attending WPS from K to Gr2 and then moving to the St Leonards campus for Gr3 to Gr6?

• Satisfied (0%)
• Dissatisfied (98%)
• Undecided (2%)

Number of responses: 57

As a result of these survey results I will be proceeding with discussions with both parent representatives and the Tasmanian Liberal leader Will Hodgman regarding an appropriate way forward for Waverley children which in my mind must include the possibility of running a proper and robust community consultation.

We will also expand police ‘move on’ powers to provide a new provision for a 24 hour ban, at the discretion of the police.

People in Launceston want real change when it comes to security concerns – this police booth and expanded police powers is part of our plan to deliver real change for public safety in Launceston, and across Tasmania.

The expanded powers will mean that if a person is asked by a police officer to leave a public place when the police officer believes on reasonable grounds that the person may commit an offence, endanger the safety of another person or be likely to commit a breach of the peace, that period can be for a set 24 hour period.

The current ‘move on’ powers under the Police Offences Act only specifies a period of “not less than 4 hours”, but it needs to be clear to police on the beat and to the community that a 24 hour ban can be imposed, without the need to take the person into custody.

Failure to obey such a police direction already makes a person liable to be arrested.

The police and information booth will be developed in consultation with the Launceston City Council, Cityprom and Tasmania Police to ensure its style and precise location is suitable.

The booth will be able to double as a place for a periodic police presence, and also an information point for visitors and locals alike on services and attractions in the Launceston area.

We commit to ensuring that the $42.5 million in road funding for North-East freight roads that was announced three years ago is expedited and spent on priority projects such as the Bridport Main Road as a matter of urgency.

We will build on this investment and provide up to further $6 million for new projects to immediately support jobs, roads and the North-East community.

Over the last four years the State Liberals have taken the time listen and understand the challenges the people of the North-East face. As a result the party has committed to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting and creating local jobs, building local roads and the investing in the broader community in its North-East Package.

The initiatives we are announcing today will ensure that local roads are upgraded and importantly local jobs are created.

Furthermore in addition to the funding commitments made today a Hodgman Liberal Government also understands very much the concerns of the agricultural and forestry sectors here in Dorset. We know that water development has not been at the pace that the community would like or needs and we are committed to ensuring that water projects in the North East are given the priority attention they deserve.

The forestry sector faces challenges in both the short and longer term. We are prepared to back the industry as we have in the past and will commit to working side by side with it to face the challenges ahead. We have already acknowledged the need for short term assistance for contractors and will continue to listen and act when necessary to ensure that this very important industry sector remains supported.

We commit to expediting the $42.5M for North east freight routes as after three years the community has waited long enough. Dorset council have made a strong case for $10M of this funding to be committed to the Scottsdale to Bridport main Rd as one of the priority projects for the NE which we support.

The new projects announced today are:

• $4 million to continue the Lilydale Road upgrade. This is not conditional on federal funding however there is an expectation that the Federal Government will also commit funding. Furthermore our new independent body, Infrastructure Tasmania, will provide advice to government on prioritising roads in the North-East for the State’s Infrastructure Plan. This will ensure funding certainty in future based on independently assessed priorities.
• $1 million to begin works on the unsealed section of the Tomahawk to Gladstone road. This road is a key tourism and freight link road around the North East and the proposed works should assist contractors who have lost work due to the delay in the Musselroe wind farm project. Support from the Federal Government will also be sought.
• The proposed Bridport Western Road Access Project will be referred to Infrastructure Tasmania for consideration as a part of its development of a strategic infrastructure plan.
• $150,000 will be committed to upgrade the Bridport Recreation Ground as a first step to enable it to develop into a multi-purpose facility able to service the needs of this growing community into the future.
• $120,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Scottsdale Ex- Services and Community Club to undertake urgently needed repairs and maintenance and commence capital projects.
• $60,000 is committed over three years to assist the continued development of the North East Rivers festival and especially the centrepiece of this festival the iconic Derby River Derby.
• $75,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Dorset Men’s Shed to continue the appointment of a part-time co-ordinator to enable it to continue its vital work in supporting men through a range of initiatives.
• $100,000 for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Department of Economic Development on the benefits to the North-East community of attracting an international golf event at the Barnbougle Dunes golf course at Bridport.
• $90,000 towards new changing rooms and office facilities to further enhance the Bridport Bowls Club’s growing operations.
• $150,000 to strengthen aged care services in the North-East and to allow for a feasibility study to look at ways to improve aged care in the North-East.
• $70,000 to assist the Scottsdale Football Club to undertake essential maintenance at its clubrooms and meet a shortfall in the cost of lighting its ground.
• $75,000 to enable the Dorset Council to develop rest rooms/comfort stop facilities in Derby to enhance services available to visitors and build on the development that has occurred in recent years.

These announcements add to the Rapid Response GP Unit and Development Fund, already announced for Northern Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberals understand Tasmanians are entitled to health care when and where they need it.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will fund a $500,000 a year to a Rapid Response GP and Development Fund to ensure no Tasmanian is left without primary health care in the event of unexpected GP shortages. Lack of access to primary health care puts additional pressure on hospitals and can compromise the health of Tasmanians.

The RRDF will be managed by GP North and GP Workforce in the north of the State, and will have the ability to act swiftly to respond to community needs, with a team comprising a GP, practice nurse and practice manager, to ensure patients have continuity of care in urban and regional communities in the north of the State.

The announcements today will improve community infrastructure, build on current investments in the North east and importantly create local jobs for local people.

Labor has failed the Flinders Island community over almost 12 years in government. Most recently, the debacle surrounding the Flinders Island shipping service highlights Labor’s ineptitude and lack of interest in the people of Flinders Island.

The people of Flinders Island deserve real change – real change that only a majority Liberal Government can deliver.

First and foremost, we will deliver real change to Flinders Island’s shipping service by empowering the Flinders Island community to take control of the Island’s vital shipping service.

Rather than the state government subsidising a shipping service as has been done unsuccessfully in the past, we will provide $750,000 over three years to the Flinders Island Council to empower the island to be in control of its sea transport links. In conjunction with the Council, we will establish a board to manage shipping services to the Island, to ensure the shipping debacle that occurred in the last two years doesn’t happen again.

We will also ensure that as part of Infrastructure Tasmania’s state-wide infrastructure plan, that a 10 year ports plan will be developed for Flinders Island. Once the plan has been finalized, Tasports will be tasked to develop a schedule of priority works, expected to be up to $5 million.

Furthermore we will provide $180,000 over three years to assist the island to further develop its tourism industry, strengthen the Flinders brand and its penetration into key markets.

We will also:

• Provide $100,000 to develop a Whitemark Master Plan;
• $150,000 to enable the council and community to further develop renewable power generation and investigate and develop a community ownership model for the Island;
• $220,000 to towards maintenance on the Whitemark Link Road in 2010-11, and we will consider a formal transfer of the road to the State Government once due diligence has been undertaken;
• Funding of $30,000 over three years for the transition program to assist young islanders undertake further education or employment on mainland Tasmania.

Residents of Flinders Island will also benefit from the real change brought about by the Liberal’s policy to secure the ongoing future of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the introduction of “flying clinics.”

Only a majority Hodgman Liberal Government can provide the people of Flinders Island with the real change they need.

The Labor Government has claimed that it will continue the A-Team under a review regime through to June 2010; however it is clear that the Government is starving the program of student places, undermining the role of staff and ultimately planning to terminate the program.

As David Bartlett has refused to respond to letters and phone calls from members of the Support Group, an attempt was made to engage the Premier via Facebook.

We now know that:

• Vacancies will not be filled as it is only for continuing 2009 students; in some recent sessions, only one student has been present.
• There is now no new professional development for school-based teaching staff available.
• The review has apparently commenced and excludes the input of the support group in either the design of the review and its conduct.
• Even more embarrassingly for the Premier, is that although the review has apparently commenced, the department has not even consulted with Autism Tasmania regarding timeline, process and parameters etc.
• It is also now clear that the department, through Learning Services North, has taken direction from the caretaker government to have nothing further to do with the support group or parents.

In a letter sent to the A-Team support group in February, the General Manager of Learning Services North, Liz Banks, confirmed that the Bartlett Government will “transition” students out of the A-Team.

Concerningly, Ms Banks also cancelled a proposed meeting with the A-Team Support Group scheduled for 8th February, without giving any reason why.

It is now abundantly clear that a re-elected Bartlett Government will abolish the A-Team, and worse, they are now not even prepared to talk to affected parents about it.

So much for Mr Bartlett’s claim that he is “listening”.

Furthermore, at a National Disability Forum pre-election debate on Monday, Labor’s nominated representative refused to cooperate with requests to facilitate the promised meetings – saying only that his excellent connections would allow him to contact employees in the department.

In contrast a Hodgman Liberal Government will provide an additional $1.3 million for the A-Team (Autism) model program, which will not only fund the continuation of the program in the North, but will see the program rolled out around the State for a three year trial.

The Liberals’ Smarter Health Care package will enable people of Northern Tasmania to better access health care from the hospital to the home when they need it, by taking the pressure off the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) and freeing up hospital beds to allow Tasmanians to get their surgery on time.

Most importantly, the package will help the LGH address its unsafe occupancy levels and meet current and future health demand associated with an ageing population.

The Hodgman Liberal Government’s Smarter Health care for the north will –

These initiatives, combined with the Liberal policy to spend $10m in two years to drastically cut elective surgery waiting lists through a strategic public-private partnership in our Sooner the Better policy, will ensure better health results all round for people in Northern Tasmania.

Sooner the Better allows for patients waiting longer than clinically-recommended timeframes to have their operation in a private hospital at no cost to them, leading to a better quality of life sooner.

Why is this policy needed

For too long, Tasmania’s health system has balanced on a knife-edge and Tasmanians have been the ones to suffer.

Our health system is like a set of scales –if there are inadequate health services in the community, this adds pressure to the hospital system, and in turn leads to worsening health outcomes as people are denied a hospital bed or surgery.

We need to tip the balance in favour of keeping people well and out of hospital and use the health dollar better by investing in smarter ways to deliver health care from the hospital to the home.

The benefits of the Liberals’ Smarter Health approach are –

A new 28-bed transitional care facility

In 2008 the Liberals revealed a secret Government report “Rehabilitation Services in Tasmania: Current Situation and Future Plans” that showed the north of the State had just 16-18 rehabilitation beds and that before 2016, another 150 additional inpatient rehabilitation beds were needed Statewide.

While the LGH’s Rehabilitation Ward has now increased to 26 beds, this is still a long way short of the rehabilitation beds and additional step-down or sub-acute beds needed by the Northern Tasmanian community into the future.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will refurbish the John L. Grove Centre – situated close to the LGH – to create a new 28-bed transitional care facility. For greater flexibility in the delivery of health care, these beds will be multipurpose, for slow-stream rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation and provide step-down care for those waiting for permanent residential care. The 26-bed rehabilitation ward will also remain at the LGH. This initiative will provide patients with a range of care options depending on their need, and a pathway from the hospital to the home, or nursing home.

Current tenants of the John L. Grove Centre will need to be re-housed and we will consult with them in an attempt to keep them within the hospital precinct. Funding has been provided for leasing.

The new 28 bed transitional unit will facilitate more timely discharge of rehabilitation, stroke and acute patients from the LGH, address increasing demand for rehabilitation services, and improve access to services in the north. The benefits are that it will deliver a decrease in the average length of stay at the hospital, and will free up more beds for acute care.

Dedicated Palliative Care

A Hodgman Liberal Government will provide four dedicated palliative care beds for public patients in the north of the State, more than doubling the number available in the region. The beds will be negotiated within 30 days of election and provided by the private hospital system, extending the current contract with Calvary Health Care at its St Luke’s campus.

Six years after a 2004 report recommended dedicated palliative beds located in, and spread between existing acute and rural hospitals, beds remain at the same inadequate levels. There are just three publicly-funded dedicated palliative care beds for the north of the State and since the private hospital contract began, these beds have been 96 per cent occupied.

The Tasmanian Liberals strongly support the right of the terminally ill and their families to have choice in accessing quality palliative care in a range of settings from the home to the hospital.

Hospital in the Home

‘Hospital in the Home’ has been proven to work successfully in other Australian States where it is well established, as an efficient alternative to hospital care for frequent hospital users and those needing continuity of care post-discharge, including those with chronic disease, and adults, infants and children with complex and ongoing care needs.

‘Hospital in the Home’ is overwhelmingly valued by patients and carers because it allows increased mobility for patients, more time with family and less disruption of family life, reduced transport needs and time waiting for hospital care, and importantly an infection-free environment.

Many patients in other States who had previously experienced lengthy in-hospital admissions say if presented with a choice, they prefer Hospital in the Home over having to stay in hospital.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will significantly boost ‘Hospital in the Home’ services in Launceston, for patients and families who would like this option. We will provide funding for staffing, and support needs (IT, infrastructure and communication).

This initiative has the potential to further free up hospital beds.

Establish Tasmania’s first walk-in care clinic in the north

A Hodgman Liberal Government will establish Tasmania’s first walk-in care clinic after consultation with hospital management, local GPs, the AMA and the ANF.

The Walk-in Care Clinic will be staffed by three funded nurse practitioner positions. The clinic will allow for extended hours week-day access for simple treatments and minor health problems. Minor health problems could include coughs and cold, sprains, cuts, minor wounds, soft tissue injuries, ear infections, urinary tract infections etc. for people of all ages. There will be no need for an appointment.

The service could also provide health screening tests, physical examinations, injections, immunisations and health education and promotion.

A Walk-in Care Clinic which will have the benefit of relieving pressure on the LGH’s Emergency Department for minor health matters, and ensure faster access to simple medical treatments for Northern Tasmanians.

Eight new nurse practitioner positions for the North

The Tasmanian Liberals support the position of nurse practitioners, who are expert nurses with many years of tertiary study including a post-graduate clinical masters degree. They do not replace the work of doctors and practice within a carefully regulated framework. There are now more than 305 nurse practitioners successfully practising nationally, however there are none practising in Tasmania.

A Hodgman Liberal Government believes nurse practitioners can assist in improving access for all Tasmanians to a range of health care services in various locations of the State, and will fund eight of these new positions for Northern Tasmania.

There are currently 26 nurses with the appropriate masters qualifications waiting for recognition in their new role but there are no funded positions for employment opportunities. We will use their services to deliver a range of health care solutions from the hospital to the home.

Establish a Rapid Response GP Unit and Development Fund

The Liberals understand Tasmanians are entitled to health care when and where they need it.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will fund a $500,000 per annum “Rapid Response GP and Development Fund” (RRDF) in the north of the State to ensure no Tasmanian is left without primary health care in the event of unexpected GP shortages. Lack of access to primary health care puts additional pressure on hospitals and can compromise the health of Tasmanians.

The RRDF will be managed by GP North and GP Workforce in the north of the State, and will have the ability to act swiftly to respond to community needs, with a team comprising a GP, practice nurse and practice manager, to ensure patients have continuity of care in urban and regional communities in the north of the State.

From the Fund the Liberals would purchase three dedicated registrar positions from General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) each year – over and above the 21 positions the Commonwealth allocates. The positions will be full-time and GPTT will be directed to place those registrars in areas of workforce shortage as identified in the Workforce Plan, including Launceston. Also, GPs in the north will have the benefit of additional incentive payments for taking on trainee GPs (on top of that provided by the Commonwealth). We would also provide incentives to GPs, to support aged care residents.

Fully fund the positions of doctors, nurses and allied health staff required to meet the construction of the expanded Department of Emergency Medicine, Acute Medical Unit, Day Procedure Unit and expanded ICU/HDU at the Launceston General Hospital.

A Hodgman Liberal Government acknowledges the need for additional staff to meet the needs of facilities under construction at the LGH. This capital works program, largely funded by the Australian Government, will assist the hospital meet health demand into the future, but must be fully staffed.

Attempts by the Liberals over a six month period to obtain the Business Case from the LGH to assist with accurate policy development for this commitment have failed. Therefore, the Liberals cannot accurately cost this part of the Smarter Health package but in acknowledging the need for additional staffing as part of those capital developments, we will match the Government’s commitment in this area.

After more than 11 years of Labor…

Costings

The total cost of this policy is $155.4 million. This includes $25.4 million for Smarter Health initative funding, and $130 million for additional staff at the Launceston General Hospital.