A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will ensure Tasmanians never have to pay to watch TV when they’re sick and in hospital.

“I think most Tasmanians would agree it is ridiculous to think that when Tasmanians are literally on their sick bed they are being asked to dig into their wallets to pay for the simple pleasure of watching tellie,” Minister Guy Barnett said.

“This is a relic from outdated hospital infrastructure we inherited from 16 years of a Labor Government, which has hung around for way too long.

“Currently, an international company is charging sick Tasmanians $12.50 a day, or up to $80.50 a week to watch TV in our hospitals.

“We’re going to pick up the tab for TV in all our hospitals, so sick Tasmanians can enjoy what should be just a part of the service.”

In addition, Minister Barnett confirmed that these costly TVs were being phased-out of Tasmania’s public hospitals.

New TVs that will not require the Government to pick up the tab are already in place at K-Block at the Royal Hobart Hospital, and will be rolled out progressively across the State.

This follows the introduction of free public Wi-Fi within our major hospitals in December.

The cost of this policy is $400,000 a year.