Health Minister Jack Snelling’s scare campaign about the impact of possible reductions in Federal health funding only serves to highlight the jobs the Weatherill Government is currently cutting from SA Health, and announced last year.
In his release today regarding recommendations of the Commission of Audit Minister Snelling said:
while the (State) Government had no intention of sacking 500 nurses, the figure highlighted just how much was on the line in tomorrow night’s Budget.
“Actually the Weatherill Labor Government is in the process of cutting hundreds of nursing positions as part of its plans to cut about 1900 full-time jobs from SA Health,” said Shadow Health Minister Rob Lucas.
“It is staggering that Minister Snelling is attacking the Federal Government for considering health cuts when he is committed to his own budget cuts for SA Health of $1033 million by 2016/17.
“Prior to the Mid-Year Budget Review, SA Health told the Budget and Finance Committee they were cutting 200 nursing jobs this year.
“So Minister Snelling must now confirm exactly how many nursing positions will be lost as part of the 1929 positions to be cut out of SA Health by 2016/17.
“Mr Weatherill and Mr Snelling are trying to conceal their own already announced savage budget cuts to health by trying to blame the Federal Government’s yet to be announced budget decisions.”