Allegations patients at one of Queensland’s biggest emergency departments were forced to pass urine in bottles has been debunked after a thorough investigation and review of CCTV.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, in a statement filled with urine-related wordplay, revealed there was “no evidence” of anyone passing urine in the hallways of the Gold Coast University Hospital.
But there was evidence of staff regularly drinking electrolyte drinks while they are on shift—particularly the potently yellow hued Berocca.
Earlier in the week Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates said patients were waiting for more than two hours, on trolleys, not in cubicles but hallways with paramedics checking their vital signs.
The situation became so chaotic that men were “passing urine in bottles in full view of the entire triage area”, she claimed.
Ms Bates, in explosive scenes, yelled as Ms Fentiman claiming “it’s the wrong area you fool”.
She was swiftly ejected from the chamber—the seventh time this year and the 25th time since the start of 2020.
Qld parliament: MP booted for 25th time as parliament erupts over urine claims
The Opposition's health spokeswoman has been kicked out of parliament for the 25th time since 2020, and the seventh time this year, after the final sitting of 2023 became heated over the subject of urine in bottles.
Allegations patients at one of Queensland’s biggest emergency departments were forced to pass urine in bottles has been debunked after a thorough investigation and review of CCTV.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, in a statement filled with urine-related wordplay, revealed there was “no evidence” of anyone passing urine in the hallways of the Gold Coast University Hospital.
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Updates
Taking the piss: Urine in bottles just Berocca Health Minister says
Sunshine Coast rail extension funding "locked in" to a degree
Funding for a critical Brisbane 2032 Games legacy project from the federal government at least is “locked in” Deputy Premier Steven Miles has said.
“Now that we have that rock solid commitment from the Australian Government to commit at least $1.6 billion to it and we welcome that commitment,” he said.
“We welcome their agreement to work with us on the wider regional transport planning between now and 2032. And of course, we will do that work and that work will outline the timing and the costs for the project.”
Fentiman stands by suspension of child psychiatrist
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has again stood by the removal of a child psychiatrist from clinical duties following a complaint about her treatment of children with gender dysphoria.
The Minister was quizzed by Katter’s Australia Party leader Robbie Katter about the suspension of the doctor, Jillian Spencer.
He claimed the psychiatrist’s management of children presenting with gender dysphoria was a “very high quality” and quizzed Ms Fentiman about the evidence used to suspend her.
But Ms Fentiman strongly stood by the decision.
“The Palaszczuk government stands with trans and gender diverse Queenslanders and respects the rights of everyone to live freely and without discrimination,” the Health Minister said.
“The Queensland children's gender service provides best practice care by adherence to peer reviewed national and internationally accepted published practice clinical guidelines that includes those published by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, who have synthesised the last 10 years of research, resulting in updated standards of care.”
'No plans' for vacancy levy, Premier tells Greens
Greens MP Amy MacMahon asked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk whether her government would follow Victoria and introduce a vacancy levy to get thousands of properties left empty back on the rental market.
"There are no plans to do that," the Premier said.
'Broken election promise': Police target set to be missed
LNP police spokesman Dale Last's turn for a question for the Premier, and he seizes on a Queensland Audit Office report which revealed the government was set to miss its target of an extra 1450 police by 2025.
He wants to know whether Ms Palaszczuk will admit this is a "broken election promise".
Short answer – no.
The Premier says Police Minister Mark Ryan and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll have spoken at length about this – blaming workforce shortages.
"There is a national issue of attracting police officers and recruits," she said.
"My recollection was that the Commissioner said there were 600 people before the academy, and 1600 in the pipeline.
"She also says the Commissioner has supported the five recommendations, and work was already underway to implement them.
So if it's a no, no and no, why should Qlders take their word on anything in 2024
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie has asked the Premier why Queenslanders should trust her government to have the solutions in 2024 considering the terrible year they’ve had not taking responsibility for the cost of living, crime, or health crisis.
Ms Palaszczuk says it’s because Queenslanders can’t possibly trust the LNP.
“The people of this state know me, they know that our government works hard, and they know that we back Queenslanders,” she said.
And does the Premier accept blame for the health 'crisis'?
The Opposition has continued with its very clear trend this Question Time of attempting to lay blame on the Premier for the number of crises, this time asking if she accepts responsibility for the health crisis.
But Annastacia Palaszczuk used the opportunity to dig the portfolio’s shadow spokeswoman Ros Bates, who she called the “member for dress ups” – a reference to photos previously circulating of Ms Bates wearing nurse scrubs while on a visit to a hospital.
The Premier claimed the line of questioning proved the Opposition “don't like Queensland” and suggested a new shadow health figure was appointed to allow for “a rational discussion between two people who understand health”.
But in finally addressing the question (kind of), Ms Palaszczuk said the state government was undertaking a significant build of hospitals and leaned on the construction of satellite hospitals as evidence of action to improve the sector.
Is Premier to blame for housing 'crisis'
There's a theme here.
LNP housing spokesman Tim Mander asked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk whether she would "accept responsibility" for the housing 'crisis'.
Mr Mander noted residential lot approvals had decreased by 4 per cent this year.
"There are national issues that are happening across the nation," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"I find it ironic .. the person who asked the housing question wanted to sell off community housing."
'Not a plan - a pamphlet': Premier slams LNP
LNP Treasury spokesman David Janetzki has taken a swipe at the government's economic record, saying ABS data shows Queensland economy has not grown in per capital terms in the past 12 months – the worst in the nation.
The Premier hits back with her own stat – the economy up 11 per cent since the start of Covid – and saying it was the government's health response which kept the state's economy growing.
She also doesn't miss an opportunity to attack the LNP's own plans, pointing to their "right priorities" and slamming it as "not a plan – a pamphlet" – and also has a dig at their "right wing" views.
Victims committee: Names revealed for Ministerial advisory council
The members of the new Independent Ministerial Advisory Council have been announced by Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath, and include victims of crime, representatives from the legal sector and peak advocacy bodies.
The council was established after a groundswell of anger from victims of crime towards the government, who felt victims' needs were not being supported
It has been charged with advising on justice system reform and victim support, with Ms D'Ath saying "I have no doubt the IMAC will play an integral role in shaping our response to crime and support for victims, helping to keep our community safe".
The council includes vocal Voice for Victims advocate Ben Cannon, and will be co-chaired by former Childrens Court Judge John Robertson and DV Connect chief executive Beck O’Connor.
Other members include Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers, former Corrective Services Commission Director-General and Queensland patron of the Justice Reform Initiative Robert (Keith) Hamburger, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion chief executive Matilda Alexander, manager of the Cloncurry Justice Association Julie Arthur, Multicultural Australia Christine Castley, youth parliamentarian Zac Davidson, Griffith University Professor in the School of Criminology Susan Dennison, barrister Timothy Grau, policy expert Professor Lorraine Mazerolle, Cherbourg mayor Elvie Sandow, Domestic violence victim-survivor Andrea Storey and Queensland Homicide Victims' Support Group CEO Brett Thompson.
Two other victims of crime have also joined by asked not be named.
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