Latest news with #RogerJaensch
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Rocky times: no-confidence motion set to dump premier
A Liberal state minority government is in political turmoil with a premier set to be dumped by parliament and a snap election looming. The motion, put forward by the Labor opposition, appears all but certain to pass with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. Mr Rockliff has conceded the numbers are against him but has vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. This stance could end up triggering an election, some 15 months after the Liberals were returned to power, governing in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Labor and some of the crossbench have lashed Mr Rockliff for budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Some crossbenchers and the Greens are opposed to a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position they reiterated on Wednesday. The Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Senior Liberal MP Roger Jaensch told parliament Labor leader Dean Winter was trying to steal power by moving the motion. "(He) has shown contempt for the Tasmanian people in favour of his own interest. Tasmanians voted for a Liberal government and Jeremy Rockliff," Mr Jaensch told parliament. If the motion passes, the Liberals could try to govern with another premier, with current deputy Guy Barnett or former senator Eric Abetz the most logical options. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has kept the door ajar for a minority government scenario with Labor, who only hold 10 lower-house seats. Dr Woodruff said her party was prepared to work with Labor, saying Mr Winter could prevent Tasmania from going to an election in the event no feasible governing arrangement was found. Independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to support the motion, hasn't ruled out working with Labor. A Liberal state minority government is in political turmoil with a premier set to be dumped by parliament and a snap election looming. The motion, put forward by the Labor opposition, appears all but certain to pass with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. Mr Rockliff has conceded the numbers are against him but has vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. This stance could end up triggering an election, some 15 months after the Liberals were returned to power, governing in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Labor and some of the crossbench have lashed Mr Rockliff for budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Some crossbenchers and the Greens are opposed to a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position they reiterated on Wednesday. The Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Senior Liberal MP Roger Jaensch told parliament Labor leader Dean Winter was trying to steal power by moving the motion. "(He) has shown contempt for the Tasmanian people in favour of his own interest. Tasmanians voted for a Liberal government and Jeremy Rockliff," Mr Jaensch told parliament. If the motion passes, the Liberals could try to govern with another premier, with current deputy Guy Barnett or former senator Eric Abetz the most logical options. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has kept the door ajar for a minority government scenario with Labor, who only hold 10 lower-house seats. Dr Woodruff said her party was prepared to work with Labor, saying Mr Winter could prevent Tasmania from going to an election in the event no feasible governing arrangement was found. Independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to support the motion, hasn't ruled out working with Labor. A Liberal state minority government is in political turmoil with a premier set to be dumped by parliament and a snap election looming. The motion, put forward by the Labor opposition, appears all but certain to pass with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. Mr Rockliff has conceded the numbers are against him but has vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. This stance could end up triggering an election, some 15 months after the Liberals were returned to power, governing in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Labor and some of the crossbench have lashed Mr Rockliff for budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Some crossbenchers and the Greens are opposed to a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position they reiterated on Wednesday. The Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Senior Liberal MP Roger Jaensch told parliament Labor leader Dean Winter was trying to steal power by moving the motion. "(He) has shown contempt for the Tasmanian people in favour of his own interest. Tasmanians voted for a Liberal government and Jeremy Rockliff," Mr Jaensch told parliament. If the motion passes, the Liberals could try to govern with another premier, with current deputy Guy Barnett or former senator Eric Abetz the most logical options. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has kept the door ajar for a minority government scenario with Labor, who only hold 10 lower-house seats. Dr Woodruff said her party was prepared to work with Labor, saying Mr Winter could prevent Tasmania from going to an election in the event no feasible governing arrangement was found. Independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to support the motion, hasn't ruled out working with Labor. A Liberal state minority government is in political turmoil with a premier set to be dumped by parliament and a snap election looming. The motion, put forward by the Labor opposition, appears all but certain to pass with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. Mr Rockliff has conceded the numbers are against him but has vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. This stance could end up triggering an election, some 15 months after the Liberals were returned to power, governing in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Labor and some of the crossbench have lashed Mr Rockliff for budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Some crossbenchers and the Greens are opposed to a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position they reiterated on Wednesday. The Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Senior Liberal MP Roger Jaensch told parliament Labor leader Dean Winter was trying to steal power by moving the motion. "(He) has shown contempt for the Tasmanian people in favour of his own interest. Tasmanians voted for a Liberal government and Jeremy Rockliff," Mr Jaensch told parliament. If the motion passes, the Liberals could try to govern with another premier, with current deputy Guy Barnett or former senator Eric Abetz the most logical options. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has kept the door ajar for a minority government scenario with Labor, who only hold 10 lower-house seats. Dr Woodruff said her party was prepared to work with Labor, saying Mr Winter could prevent Tasmania from going to an election in the event no feasible governing arrangement was found. Independent Kristie Johnston, one of the three crossbenchers to support the motion, hasn't ruled out working with Labor.
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Tasmanian pharmacists to treat more conditions with expanded scope of practice
From next year, Tasmanians will be able to head to their local pharmacists for more conditions, in a move the state government hopes will take pressure off GPs and hospitals. $5 million from next week's state budget will be set aside to offer pharmacists training in treating conditions such as ear infections, reflux, skin conditions like shingles and eczema, rhinitis and wound care. The funding will also support a new pilot project partnering pharmacists with GPs to prescribe medications in residential aged care. But expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists has been met with backlash from the doctor sector — as happened when the Northern Territory and Queensland adopted the program. Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Roger Jaensch said pharmacists were currently an "under-utilised resource" and subsidised training of between 12 and 18 months would allow pharmacists "full scope of practice credentials". "Our pharmacists are trusted frontline health professionals and medication experts in our communities," Mr Jaensch said. The extra training builds upon an existing program which expanded credentials for some Tasmanian pharmacists last year. In an Australian first, those pharmacists became able to treat uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and administer the oral contraceptive pill for an extra 12 months when a prescription expires. Mr Jaensch said the government would learn from other states and "work towards national harmonisations of a wider range of treatments that our pharmacies can deliver". "Those that are ahead of us now are reviewing their progress; we'll learn from their progress," Mr Jaensch said. Launceston pharmacist Jason Martin said customers presented "daily" with conditions which he and other pharmacists would be able to treat if they had full-scope credentials. "With immunisations as an example … and during COVID-19 too, we've shown we've had capacity to grow and to take on additional healthcare services and meet the healthcare demand," Mr Martin said. Mr Martin, who is also a Pharmacy Guild member, believed the opportunity to upskill would also boost workforce retention for pharmacists. Expanding the scope of practice, he said, would hopefully entice graduates to stay in Tasmania, rather than move to states where such opportunities were already in place or becoming available. Tasmania's Pharmaceutical Society of Australia also welcomed the training, with state manager Ella Van Tienen saying the sector was "able and willing to do more". "We believe for a range of conditions we need a 'no wrong door' policy so that consumers are able to access healthcare in the environment they choose to do in a timely and accessible manner," Ms Van Tienen said. Tasmania's Australian Medical Association said the pilot "misses the mark and worse, puts patient care at risk". President Michael Lumsden-Steel said while pharmacists were an "important part of the patient care team", they "are not doctors". Dr Lumsden-Steele said many medical conditions shared similar symptoms, and that this pilot would result in "further care fragmentation". "It takes years of study and experience to ascertain the difference between acid reflux and gallstones. Dr Lumsden-Steel said a better use of funds would be opening more training positions in general practice and increasing Medicare rebates for longer consultations. Professional Pharmacists Australia said they welcomed the funding, but said it must come alongside additional support for "already overstretched" pharmacists to help manage the additional workload and responsibilities. "The scope of pharmacy practice is changing, but so too must the pay, protections, and professional standards that underpin it." Mr Jaensch said renumeration for pharmacists working in community pharmacies "remains the responsibility of their employer". He said he acknowledged the comments of the AMA, but that the measure had been taken "so we can relieve pressure on our GPs and hospitals".
ABC News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Ashley Youth Detention Centre closure delayed again, to 2028, as replacement master plan unveiled
The Tasmanian government again delays the closure of the troubled Ashley Youth Detention centre, saying construction on a new replacement facility will likely not be complete until the end of 2027. It recommended the facility be closed as soon as possible, with the government originally planning to do so by the end of 2024. The date was later shifted to 2026. On Monday, Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch unveiled the government's master plan for the new facility, which will be built in Pontville, north of Hobart, with construction expected to begin this year. He said construction was set to be completed by the end of 2027 and then Ashley will close sometime after that, likely in early 2028. Mr Jaensch said the government remained "100 per cent committed" to closing the current facility, but it could not be done without a new, operational facility ready to go. "We cannot do it before we have a new functional detention facility," Mr Jaensch said. "We believe, and with the support of the parliament, with the bill that we're tabling tomorrow, that we can see the new facility built before the end of 2027 and the closure of Ashley shortly thereafter." Asked if early 2028 was the new closure date for Ashley, Mr Jaensch said: "That would be the first opportunity." According to the master plan, the facility will be smaller than the current youth detention centre, with a capacity for 16 young people. The new facility, Mr Jaensch said, will focus on providing a "therapeutic youth justice model". "Very clearly, we do not intend to close the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and replace it with something which looks and works the same as Ashley," Mr Jaensch said. There will be two further "orientation beds" for when they come in, and two more beds for "health needs", the deputy secretary for child and safety justice operations, Peter Whitcombe, said. According to Mr Whitcombe, Ashley currently has 20 spaces for young people, "give or take". Government's changing plans Last November, Premier Jeremy Rockliff gave an apology to 129 former detainees — In 2022, the Tasmanian government announced five purpose-built facilities with a preventative, rather than punishment focus, to replace Ashley. These were to include a detention centre in the south, two assisted bail facilities in the north and south, and two supported residential facilities in the north and south. Last October, the plan changed. Four of the five facilities were placed on the back burner, with the focus moved to building one new youth detention facility in Pontville. Mr Jaensch said at the time that the government would instead invest in existing providers, facilities and services, but left the door open for future facilities to be built. These, he said at the time, may still be built if the government found there was not enough capacity within the sector.
