Tasmania Police defending controversial spending plan

The Ready For Response program drew fire from the Australian Taxpayers' Alliance, with policy researcher Julia Kokic describing it as a "doughnut discouragement program".

Ms Kokic said it was "just another case of the Tasmanian government encroaching on what should be a matter of personal responsibility".

"The government has no business with our waistline," she said.

"If anyone has a gluttony problem, its the government gorging on our taxpayer dollars.

"The Tasmanian government doesnt need to spend $268,000 of taxpayer money to coerce public sector workers into taking responsibility for their own health and fitness.

"Instead, Tasmanian parliamentarians should take a hard look at their own fitness for office.

In a Facebook reply to a story about the matter, Tasmania Police on Friday said: "We are proud that the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management is helping Tasmania's police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency service workers stay healthy both physically and mentally, because a healthy body also contributes to a healthy mind."

"First responders are susceptible to PTSD and other mental health conditions due to the confronting things they face in their day to day work.

"Their wellbeing is a priority.

"By helping them, they can continue to help you when you're in need."

Police Minister Mark Shelton defended the spending, saying health and wellbeing of emergency services workers was a priority.

"Police, firefighters, and other emergency services workers are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorders and other mental illnesses due to the severity of the incidents they attend and the cumulative effect of incidents attended over a long period of time," he said.

The program is under a wider $6 million state funding commitment for the health and wellbeing of emergency services workers.

Ms Kokic's comments related only to the $268,000 nutrition and fitness program.