Where’s Will? Rivals take aim at ‘holiday’ snap

PREMIER Will Hodgman has come under fire for being absent from Parliament for a week while the state’s health crisis rages.

Mr Hodgman is in Kuala Lumpur today as he winds up his Asian trade mission.

But Labor yesterday said no Premier had been absent from Parliament for such an extended period in 30 years.

Opposition treasury spokesman Scott Bacon said a photo showing Mr Hodgman taking in the sight of the Great Wall of China made it look like the Premier was on a holiday rather, than a business trip.

“We support trade missions, but from the photo it looks more like a taxpayer-funded holiday than a trade mission,” Mr Bacon said.

“It’s a terrible look for the Premier, looking like he’s on holiday, missing Parliament while the health minister isn’t taking responsibility for the fact that they’re putting people in store rooms and giving them a bell.

“The Government picked the dates for this trip. Minister [Sarah] Courtney was able to go on the trade mission and still made it to Parliament.

“There’s no doubt that since the election the Premier appears a lot less interested in running the state, he appears worn out by the constant failures in the health system and the failure of the health minister to do his job.”

A Government spokesman said the photograph was taken on Tuesday last week — a day on which Mr Hodgman’s official itinerary has him in Beijing for the official mission opening and a cultural visit, plus meetings and events to promote agribusiness.

A spokesman for Mr Hodgman last night told the Mer

cury; “Over 13 days covering three countries, the Premier has held 51 official meetings and engagements, taken nine flights, on top of two full days of travel.”

“Last week the Premier took part in a scheduled cultural visit to the Great Wall of China. When leaders visit foreign countries it is a common courtesy to take the time to experience the local culture.

“Many Chinese dignitaries would have been offended had the Premier not visited this important cultural site. In addition, as Tourism Minister, the cultural visit provided the Premier with an opportunity to experience how China is coping with visitor demand at one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was beyond belief the Premier had chosen such a time to be away.

“Management at the Royal is considering putting patients into alcoves, such is the level of chaos in Tasmania’s health system after five years of the Liberal Government, yet the Premier is still swanning around in China,” she said.