What you said about Qld Health plan to hire spin doctors

Queensland Health’s bid to protect the government’s image may end up doing the exact opposite. HAVE YOUR SAY

Queensland Health’s bid to protect the government’s image may end up doing the exact opposite.

That’s the view of many after it was revealed Queensland Health hired a communications agency to teach top bureaucrats how to protect against a LNP attack when parliamentary Estimates hearings start this month.

Queensland Health allocated tens of thousands of dollars to engage Brisbane communications agency Rowland to deliver “media training” to its executives.

It then quickly axed the agreement on Wednesday after questions were, with Health Minister Shannon Fentiman conceding the actions were inappropriate and unnecessary.

In recent days meeting request emails were sent to hospital and health service executives across the state inviting them to the appointments in which they would rehearse how to answer questions during parliamentary Estimates hearings, which begin on July 23.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman Picture: David Clark

Sources inside the health system confirmed the training was “solely for Estimates” and described it as being aimed at protecting the “image” of the government.

A spokesman for Queensland Health said the training would not occur.

The opposition has previously accused the state government of being more concerned about “how things look” in the health system.

That has prompted Health Minister Shannon Fentiman to fire back and demand the LNP detail its plan to ease pressure on Queensland Health.

Regardless, the news sparked furious reaction from readers.

Many claimed it was another waste of money; others pointed to the fact priorities weren’t in order.

Some simply declared the whole saga yet another mess.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Time’s up, Labor

Libby

Yet another example of a huge waste of taxpayer moneys that could have been used for police, paramedics, firefighters, teachers – the list goes on and on. Just 108 days till this mob go!

Bruce & Jane

Makes a mockery of “estimates time”, so time for this mob to go

Michelle

It just keeps getting worse for Labor. They are out of tricks, yet still trying desperately to spin their disasters into some kind of “feel good vibe”.

Put them out of their misery in October!

Cheryl

All the more reason for a change. In saying that it doesn’t matter these days who is in Gov as they’re being picked at from a hundred different angles.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Treating us like fools

Sophie

To think that Fentiman though she was a contender for Premier at one stage.

From the beginning of her tenure as Health Minister she has done nothing but deflect, dissemble and lie.

Robert M.

I find it impossible to believe exactly the same thing could not happen if Crisafulli was pretending to be running the show. Karl Marx became famous for obsessing about the dictatorship of rich bosses, when it was really bureaucrats getting wealthy by running the show.

Frank

No wonder they’re in such a mess when they prioritise spending on BS over their core business which is looking after their patients

Mark

And Princess Anna promised transparency from the ALP Government.

SF

its hard to understand why simply telling the truth – which is all that is required — is such difficult concept for Qld Health

Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Evan Morgan

Here’s an idea …

Ian

Wouldn’t it have been far better to hire a company to oversee decisions and ensure the ‘right’ thing is done?

Edward

I would have thought executives in the Public Service would have high level skills to communicate concisely, honestly and clearly about Departmental operations and performance. Ah sorry I got mixed up, this training is about how not to do this, how silly of me.

Fedup

Queenslanders have an extremely important job coming up next election soon, and that is, putting a stop to and getting rid of being treated by their government in the past near 9 years as cash cow fools and idiots.

Rob

So much for Public Servants being apolitical and unbiased.

Darren

Basically, they trying to learn how they can lie to the public better.

Never mind about actually fixing the problems.