HEALTH and public sector unions are expecting up to 1000 people to join a rally against government budget cuts in Launceston today.
The rally has been organised by the Health and Community Services Union, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Nurses Federation.
Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne, opposition health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff, Bass Greens MHA Kim Booth and members of the unions will address the rally.
The federation’s branch secretary, Neroli Ellis, said more than 600 people signed the petition over a three-hour period in the Brisbane Street Mall yesterday.
“The community has been overwhelmingly supportive and we’re now up to 7000 signatures,” Ms Ellis said.
“By talking to the community, many people really came to understand what the cuts will mean to them, and they’re supporting us.”
She said nurses were concerned about the number of bed closures, how that would affect patient care and the repercussions across the community in other areas including access to GPs and in aged care.
Ms Ellis said the rally was on the eve of the first ward closure, with the surgical west ward at Burnie due to close on Monday.
She said many community groups were also expected to join health workers in the rally, which starts at 10.30am in Princes Square before moving down Charles Street and on to Royal Park.
