Mrs Armitage (Launceston) to the Acting Leader of Government in the Legislative Council, Hon Leonie Hiscutt MLC - I would be grateful to have the cost to date of the locums, not how much per day, but what we have paid to date for the locums. We have 10 registrar locum positions vacant. Are these positions vacant because the applications were a month late in the north of the state? I believe current registrars who wanted the remain in positions needed some certainty, but were told they could not be given positions until the applications had closed. This meant that some of the registrars who wished to stay, particularly at the Launceston General Hospital, left the hospital because they need
Mrs Armitage (Launceston) to the Acting Leader of Government in the Legislative Council, Hon Leonie Hiscutt MLC - Leader, could you advise, firstly - I realise you may have to take these questions on notice - how long have the four positions been vacant? Are they vacant registrar, resident or intern positions? With the issue last year with late advertising of registrar positions, meaning that doctors were not able to accept positions until it closed, many doctors took positions elsewhere. Is this the reason those four positions are vacant? Hon Leonie Hiscutt MLC - I am advised by the Tasmanian Health Service that there is an annual advertising campaign for all Registrar positions and whilst
ASKED BY: The Hon. Rosemary Armitage MLC ANSWERED BY: The Leader of the Government QUESTION: In relation to the answers provided by the Acting Leader to my questions about costs for interstate Board members of Government Business Enterprises and state-owned Boards (specifically, Aurora Energy, Hydro Electric Commission, Tas Networks, TT-Line and Forestry Tasmania) can the Acting Leader please advise - (1) How many meetings were attended per Board ANSWER: Board Number of meetings Forestry Tas 14 attendances at Forestry Tasmania Board meetings by interstate domiciled Board members (one of those was via teleconference) Aurora Energy Board Of the two interstate members on the Aurora Energy Board
Mr President, in its 150th year as a recognised town, Hadspen is going from strength to strength and is one of Tasmania's sought-after places in which to live. Hadspen's current population is just over 2000 people, but it is forecast to grow to more than 5000 by 2031, according to the Meander Valley Council. It is always inspiring to learn about the people and the community to appreciate its strength and Hadspen is full of incredible residents who give their time to help the town thrive. One of Hadspen's most active citizens is Bev Sweetnam, whose volunteering over more than 20 years saw her receive a volunteer award at this year's Meander Valley Council Australia Day awards. Bev has had man
Mrs Armitage (Launceston) to the Honourable Leonie Hiscutt MLC, Acting Leader of the Government - A supplementary to the question I asked in relation to elective surgery, for that extra care for that patient, is that included in the $435 391 or is there an extra cost for that? Hon Leonie Hiscutt MLC - The information provided in the previous answer related to transport and accommodation only, and any such costs relating to that patient would be included in that figure. With regard to the cost of care provided, this is under review. On the assumption that the Honourable Member for Launceston is also seeking information on the cost of patient care, the Minister for Health will undertake to pro
Mrs Armitage (Launceston) to the Honourable Leader of Government in the Legislative Council, Dr Vanessa Goodwin - While I appreciate the answer the Leader gave, there actually was not an answer to my first question, when are these urgent patients going to be seen? Not who we are telling and what we are doing, but when is the money going to be there for urgent patients who should be seen within 30 days but who at the moment are waiting up to six months, when are they going to be seen? Dr Vanessa Goodwin - The Tasmanian Health Service has advised the Minister for Health that it commenced provision of the additional theatre sessions to address Gastroenterology waitlist demands at the Launceston
Mr President, in 2017 Launceston College principal, Keith Wenn, will mark his 45th year working in the Tasmanian education system, 40 of those as principal. Keith started working as a teacher when he was 21. The early years saw him teach at primary schools in Campbell Town, Railton, Rossarden, Waverley, Ravenswood, Punchbowl and Central Launceston. Later he worked at West Launceston Primary School and Exeter Primary School. Keith's first principal job was at King Island's Reekara Primary School when he was just 26 years old. An early mentor was his stepdad, and former Westbury Primary School principal, the late Kevin Medwin, who advised him to start at a small school to get experience.
Mrs Armitage (Launceston) - Mr President, I move - That a select committee be appointed, with power to send for persons and papers, with leave to sit during any adjournment of the Council, and with leave to adjourn from place to place to inquire into and report upon the benefits and challenges associated with the Tasmanian Government's proposal to take control of TasWater under state Government ownership. The select committee is to commence its work once draft legislation is available for public comment, and that Mr Armstrong, Mr Farrell, Mr Finch, Mr Gaffney, Ms Rattray, Mr Valentine and myself be of the committee. I move the appointment of this committee because the issue of sewerage and w