Health Minister Michael Ferguson has defended the decision not to release details of two reports into Tasmania’s health system.
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Right to Information documents released on Thursday revealed a KPMG report on health expenditure provided to the state government in March cost $73,255, plus GST.
A second report from RDME consulting analysing health funding also cost $14,500, plus GST.
Neither report has been made public, with Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell accusing Mr Ferguson of trying to cover up a structural deficit in health funding of $100 million for 2016-17.
“The only reason – the glaring and fundamental reason – why Michael Ferguson is determined to keep both of these reports from Tasmanians is that they are scathing in their assessment of the health and hospital system on his watch,” Ms Lovell said.
“They detail chronic underfunding of the hospital system and they confirm the crisis Michael Ferguson has created. The government commissioned these reports at taxpayer expense. Taxpayers are entitled to the truth.”
Mr Ferguson said the government had always commissioned advice, but was not going upend a “longstanding Westminster tradition” by compromising confidentiality.
“It’s important that government can commission advice and make sure that its proper frank and fearless advice,” he said.
“This particular document has been sought under RTIs and independently assessed, independent of me. I think people perhaps, in the opposition, in the Labor party need to be reminded of that.
“We don’t ignore these reports and it’s important that we respect confidentiality.”
Mr Ferguson said the reports were commissioned to help guide improvements in the health system.
