Health Minister Michael Ferguson previously stated that, "The average waiting time for people on the most urgent category 1 waiting list at the Royal Hobart Hospital was 350 days."

This disclosure is a national disgrace.

Category 1 patients must receive their surgery in 30 days or else their lives are placed at risk.

How many of Tasmania's category 1 patients have been further harmed, or worse, died because of a lack of timely medical care?

To have a situation where sick Tasmanians are forced to wait more than 10 times the recommended time is criminal.

It has been revealed that the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment is over budget, delayed and badly managed and the time frame had already blown out a year to 2017, and this is the hospital that is expected to provide surgery for 14,523 Tasmanians on the public health waiting list?

In the past I've called for a greater level of federal funding for Tasmania (an extra $5 billion over four years) and promised I will fight for it. Now, for the first time, Premier Will Hodgman, according to media reports has, "left the door open to asking for more Commonwealth funding for the hospital".

I urge the Premier, indeed all Tasmanian politicians, to join me and continue to pressure the Prime Minster for a greater share of Australia's wealth.

Tasmanians' lives depend on it.

- JACQUI LAMBIE, Senator-elect, Burnie.