Tasmanian Labor is jumping on the Federal government's health policy bandwagon, staking it out as the most important issue at its election campaign launch in Hobart.
The first three-quarters of Premier David Bartlett's speech on Monday to 200 faithful was about the state's health system.
He said the system was failing to deliver for Tasmanians, highlighting shortcomings while detailing a spending package involving the government buying a private hospital.
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He gave a very light touch to the fact that a Labor state government had for the past 12 years been in charge of Tasmania's health system.
Health 'a top priority'
"The health needs of Tasmanians are Labor's top priority," he told the audience, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Mr Bartlett promised $565 million to buy back the Hobart Private Hospital, previously privatised by the Liberals, as part of plans to expand and improve the Royal Hobart Hospital.
He's also promised $50 million more to cut elective surgery waiting times and $12 million for four seven-day "walk-in" GP clinics aimed at easing hospital emergency departments.
Mr Bartlett entered the gathering presidential-style, hand-in-hand with his wife Larissa, to the strains of Fleetwood Mac's Don't Stop (thinking about tomorrow).
Lennon thanked
He acknowledged and thanked his unpopular predecessor Paul Lennon, seated in the front row on the opposite side of the central walkway to Mr Rudd, but beside Labor elder Barry Jones.
The Labor state governments in Tasmania and South Australia, both of which go to the polls on March 20, support Mr Rudd's planned overhaul of the hospital system as health is positioned as a dominant federal election issue.
Mr Rudd said the nationally funded but locally run health network proposal he'll take to the next federal election would further benefit Tasmania.
"The Australian government has increased our investment in hospitals here in Tasmania by 49 per cent already, compared to the days of the Howard government," Mr Rudd said.
Increased spending
"Under our health care agreement we've increased our investment from $930 million to $1.4 billion to support health and hospital services across this state.
"Our investment in extra elective surgery procedures took 1,606 people off waiting lists.
"We put $3.1 million into new equipment for Royal Hobart, Launceston and northwest region hospitals.
"And we are investing $15.5 million in four GP super clinics."
