The state government needs to "come clean" on where $450 million in savings will come from, unions say, following a reported tightening of resources within the Tasmanian Health Service.
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The 2019-20 state budget foreshadowed an efficiency dividend from government departments and agencies, involving $450 million worth of savings over four years.
Health and Community Services Union assistant secretary Robbie Moore said the government was being intentionally dishonest about the cuts, including how it would impact front-line staff.
"The government are not being in any way open or transparent with people," he said.
"They are leaving it to public servants to make decisions about what services to cut, but it should be up to the government to make those calls."
Right to Information documents released on Friday revealed Treasury secretary Tony Farrell wrote to department heads on June 25 with figures the government had decided would need to be cut from each agency.
In other news:
In a statement on Saturday, a government spokesperson said Tasmanians expected the government to be "responsible, efficient and to spend taxpayers' money wisely, which is why there has been ongoing discussions with department heads since the budget was delivered".
The spokesperson said the government was spending a greater share of the total state budget on health than it was a decade ago.
"Tasmanians would expect us to ensure our government departments are running efficiently and we are continuing work to ensure patients receive the best outcomes for every dollar spent."
However, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmania executive director Andrew Brakey said a reduction in casual shifts for nurses at the Royal Hobart Hospital, implemented earlier this month, was a clear tightening of services.
"We are already seeing an impact on front-line staff," he said.
"The government has obviously put to the health department and the THS, how much they want their spending cut back by."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
