TASMANIA’S health department has confirmed it is looking to make budget cuts across the state.
Department secretary David Roberts said yesterday a review was looking at all departmental spending and would present cost-saving options to the government within months.
On Sunday Premier David Bartlett denied the department was under pressure to find $83million in savings.
Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Neroli Ellis had said on Friday that Mr Roberts had given her a briefing on a likely $83million shortfall.
Yesterday, responding to Mr Bartlett’s denial, Mrs Ellis said she had even met Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne and committed to work with her to identify cost efficiencies.
Mr Roberts did not dispute the $83million figure yesterday and his comments would have done little to alleviate concern that hospital budget cuts were likely.
He said in a budget briefing with Mrs Ellis he had confirmed that savings targets applied in the 2009 state budget after the global financial crisis remained in place.
“All areas of DHHS expenditure will be subject to rigorous examination as is customary practice,” Mr Roberts said.
“Over the coming months options will be presented to government for dealing with the agency’s budget task.”
