New-look Labor calls in doctor
LABOR has unveiled a minor reshuffle to shadow cabinet — promoting newcomer Bastian Seidel to the health portfolio as part of a pre-election refresh.
Dr Seidel is a general practitioner who was elected the Legislative Council member for Huon last August.
Rumney MLC Sarah Lovell will take over the role of leader of opposition business in the Legislative Council and the portfolios of child safety from Josh Willie and workplace relations from Michelle O’Byrne.
All other positions are unchanged; the formerly separate portfolios of ambulance services and mental health and substance abuse will be rolled in with health.
Party leader Rebecca White said this would be the team she would lead to the next election.
“I’m really confident in the capabilities of my members. We’ve got a diverse group; we’ve got teachers, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, former mayors, small business operators,” she said.
“We have got a depth of talent here that outshines the Liberal Party. They are hardworking, committed individuals and collectively our ambition is to make Tasmania a better, fairer place.
“I can confirm for Tasmanians that every person who’s currently representing them will be re-standing for their seat at the next election, which I think is probably something Peter Gutwein can’t confidently say.
“When I take a look at his team, they are tired, there’s no doubt some of those members that have been there a very long time may be thinking about retirement.
“On the other hand, the Labor Party, my team, will absolutely be committed to contesting the next election to be elected as a majority Labor government and the team … present today is the team that we hope to take into government.”
Dr Seidel said he was looking forward to taking on the responsibility of holding the government to account.
“It’s just fabulous to be in the health portfolio and I will fight for patients, I will fight for doctors, I will fight for nurses, ambulance workers, our health professionals, for a better health system.
“Our health system has been gutted over years under this Liberal government and Tasmanians are worried … if they do have an emergency that the ambulance might not reach them on time.
“They are worried that when they’re being diagnosed with a health concern like cancer, potentially, that they can’t get in to see a hospital specialist in time.
“The waiting lists are outrageous. It’s 1911 days to see a neurosurgeon. That’s over five years, just ridiculous.”
Ms Lovell said she too was looking forward to a new challenge. “There’s never been a more critical time for Tasmanians to be really across what’s happening in child safety and child protection,” she said.