March 16, 2016
The LNP Opposition has vowed to overturn legislation which it says has seriously weakened the local control and autonomy of Queensland’s hospital boards.
Opposition MPs voted against the State Government’s new laws, which they say will return control of local hospitals to the Brisbane-based bureaucracy.
“Local hospital boards are made up of people who live in the area and know healthcare such as local community champions and doctors and nurses,” Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said.
“Since I had the privilege to introduce this local control over our hospitals as Minister for Health, there has been a dramatic turnaround in the timeliness and access to services for patients throughout Queensland.
“This decision by the Palaszczuk Government is typical of Labor’s philosophy of ‘Brisbane knows best’.
“It’s exactly why under the Bligh Government, we had the fake Tahitian Prince, the Health Payroll disaster, thousands waiting longer than recommended for surgery and ambulances ramped all over the place waiting to admit patients.
“Now Health Minister Cameron Dick wants to bring that all back again.”
Mr Springborg said clauses in the Bill that would give the Health Minister the right to appoint people to local hospital boards at his whim.
“This isn’t good enough; our hospitals should be run by locals, not Brisbane bureaucrats,” Mr Springborg said.
“The new laws mean a person can be appointed by the Minister without advertising the position or going through the proper merit-based selection process.
“Our local hospital boards are run by locals and they know the lie of the land – by imposing an outsider without local knowledge is dangerous.
“The LNP will reverse this policy if elected at the next election and re-empower local health boards.”
