The revelation of details of hospital waiting list manipulation is further evidence that the Brumby Government is hiding the true extent of delays in our hospitals, Shadow Minister for Health Helen Shardey said today.

The Brumby Labor Government has misrepresented and covered up the crisis in our health system, and has consistently denied waiting list manipulation.

For more than twelve months, the Opposition has repeatedly raised serious concerns over the accuracy and under-reporting of Victorian hospital waiting lists, Mrs Shardey said.

Each time the Brumby Government has responded with denials. It now appears there is significant evidence that confirms our concerns over secret waiting lists.

Today I have written to the Chairman of the Upper House Inquiry into Hospital Performance and requested the Committee investigate the records and files on the manipulation of hospital waiting lists and bring these files before the Committee’s hearings.

The Labor Government is engaged in a systematic attempt to conceal the true extent of failures in the delivery of basic services.

These revelations today follow on from an Ombudsman’s report last week which revealed crime statistics had been under-reported for years by the Brumby Government.

I think increasingly Victorians are realising that the boasts of the Brumby Government are without foundation.

After nearly 10 years and $250 billion, the Brumby Government’s spending per person on health is the lowest in Australia. This is putting unprecedented pressure on our health system and is impacting on the lives of Victorians.

Last week Dr Peter Lazzari was sacked after he made a submission to the Upper House Inquiry into Public Hospital Performance outlining serious issues in the health system and in particular the manipulation of waiting lists.

John Brumby has refused to guarantee that all public sector workers are free to volunteer evidence and submissions to government inquiries without fear of retribution, Mrs Shardey said.