The Hobart Clinic’s impending closure is a devastating blow for Tasmanians who rely on vital mental health care, and it is yet another tragic symptom of the Albanese Labor Government’s failure to act on the growing crisis facing Australia’s private hospital sector.
While the Tasmanian Government has stepped in to keep the doors open for six months, the question remains – where is the federal leadership on this crisis?
The Albanese Government has been sitting on the alarming findings of the Private Hospital Health Check for a year and has still failed to act.
This neglect is already having devastating consequences for patients. Eleven private birthing units have already closed under the Albanese Government and a further nine private hospitals are currently on the brink of closure, the majority of which are dedicated psychiatric facilities or have mental health units.
Shadow Minister for Health Senator Anne Ruston said that the Minister for Health Mark Butler admitted that Labor was simply “watching” as private hospitals collapse across the country.
“While the Government has been sitting back and watching this crisis unfold, Australians are being left without timely access to the healthcare they need,” Senator Ruston said.
“In addition, we are seeing further consequences from Labor’s failure to take mental health seriously. The Albanese Government has cut access to Medicare mental health sessions in half, abolished the National Mental Health Commission, and failed to provide any support to Australians with chronic mental health conditions for three years.
“We do not want to see Labor’s neglect of the challenges facing the private hospital sector put Tasmanians’ access to mental health care even further at risk.”
Shadow Home Affairs Minister and Liberal Senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam said that Tasmanians are now paying the price for the Albanese Government’s failures.
“Rebecca White, as Federal Assistant Minister for Health, and Julie Collins, as the local Federal Member, must step up and advocate for Southern Tasmanians, especially those on the Eastern Shore, and work with the Board of the Hobart Clinic to ensure the Albanese Government does not leave the community without vital mental health support.”
“Tasmanians deserve better than a federal government that turns its back on people in need of mental health care.”
The Albanese Government must urgently outline its plan to address the challenges facing Australia’s private hospitals and safeguard the future of mental health care in Tasmania.
ENDS