Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman has hit the road to spruik the Liberal government's $757 million re-election health funding promise, dubbed the "biggest ever" in the state's history.
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Mr Hodgman and Health Minister Michael Ferguson were in Launceston on Monday after revealing the six-year plan at the Liberal Party's official campaign launch at the weekend.
Nearly 300 new hospital beds would be created across the state, including another 250 at the Royal Hobart Hospital once the rebuild is finished next year.
An extra 1332 new full-time equivalent staff would be employed in the hospitals and health system.
Mr Ferguson told reporters at Launceston General Hospital locals will be targeted to fill the roles.
"We want to encourage Tasmanian nursing graduates and medical graduates to have first opportunity on these jobs," he said.
"We also want to encourage Tasmanians who've had to leave the state to come back home and be confident that there will be a job for them."
The government plans to spend $87 million on redeveloping Launceston General Hospital, with an extra 161 hospital and health staff to be recruited to support extra beds and services.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White, who declared health her party's top priority in the race to a March 3 poll, labelled the Liberals' plan a "con job".
Labor has pledged $560 million over six-years to fix the state's health "crisis".
"So much of what the Liberals are promising won't be delivered unless they win a third term in government," Ms White said on Sunday.
"The bulk of the additional $560 million we have committed to the health and hospital system will be spent in the first two years of a Labor government.
"The Liberals are treating the public with contempt by back-ending their funding promises."
Australian Associated Press
