Health Minister Tim Nicholls shoulders bulk of Premier David Crisafulli’s first 100-day plan goals
Premier David Crisafulli says his government is off to a flying start after actioning all 17 goals on its 100-day plan, with Health Minister Tim Nicholls shouldering the bulk of commitments.
QLD Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier David Crisafulli says his government has hit the ground running after it actioned all 17 goals on its 100-day plan, with Health Minister Tim Nicholls shouldering the bulk of commitments.
The ambitious list, set out by Mr Crisafulli on November 1, had a deadline of March 9 and was on top of 26 other tasks to be completed by the new government by the end of 2024.
“I promised we would listen and work tirelessly to deliver on every single commitment we made, which is exactly what we continue to do,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Our 100-day plan set the foundations and we will continue to deliver more for Queenslanders every single day.”
In health, the government has begun publishing real-time hospital data and completed an assessment of the state’s regional maternity staffing levels, revealing a shocking 14.2 per cent vacancy rate in obstetrics, 17.9 per cent in anaesthetics, and 11.5 per cent in midwifery.
Queensland Health, fulfilling another commitment to make public its capacity to issue rape kits, confirmed more than six months’ supply of forensic medical examination (rape) kits were available across the state’s hospitals, with 555 clinicians having completed the Forensic Examiner Training Program.
Consultation to rename satellite hospitals and determine sites for CT/MRI expansion was progressed, with the government announcing this week the seven sites would be renamed as “Satellite Health Centres”.
In youth and crime prevention, information sessions for Regional Reset Camps and the Staying on Track Program have commenced, although these programs, aimed at “breaking the cycle” of youth crime, are yet to go out to tender.
A Blue Card Inquiry was launched, and guidelines on funding extra-curricular activities for children within the Child Safety system were published.
A domestic violence victims’ working group has also been established and $6m was spent on bolstering the capacity of Director of Public Prosecutions to address the DNA lab backlog, with FBI expert Dr Bruce Budowle also appointed to review the state’s to review the states forensic service.
Government transparency reforms included setting up an independent Public Sector Commission and disclosing the real cost of Cross River Rail – now $17bn to be completed in 2029.
Education and small business improvements included reducing paperwork for snowed-under teachers, launching an Elder Abuse Inquiry, and refocusing the Small Business Commissioner on red tape reduction.
First 100 days list:
Publish transparent real-time hospital data
Assess current staffing levels across all regional Queensland maternity services to understand where the gaps are
Consult with clinicians to determine the most appropriate name for “satellite hospitals” and begin work to identify which sites are suitable for CT and MRI machines to be added
Begin work to tender for Regional Reset Camps
Begin work to tender for the Staying on Track Program to divert at-risk children from turning to crime and rehabilitate youth offenders
Launch an Inquiry led by the Queensland Family and Child Commission into the failures of the Blue Card Child Protection system under Labor
Publish guidelines for funding extra-curricular activities for kids in the Child Safety system ahead of our first LNP Budget
Establish an independent Public Sector Commission
Release information about current capacity levels for forensic medical examinations (rape kits) across Queensland hospitals
Expand our Natural Resource Management Program to preserve our natural environment
Establish a dedicated working group to remove red tape and reduce the administrative burden on our teachers
Establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into Elder Abuse
Re-focus the Small Business Commissioner on red tape reduction and dispute management for small businesses
Bolster the capacity of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure matters backlogged in Labor’s DNA Lab Debacle can be prepared for court
Establish a working group with victims of domestic, family and sexual violence to highlight gaps in the system and opportunities for future reform
Commence work on expanding opportunities for home ownership in Queensland’s Indigenous communities
Disclose the real cost of Cross River Rail and when it will be completed
Hiding under the bed: Premier, you caused this mess, why don’t you fix it?
David Crisafulli was the presiding minister when the LNP let the loonies loose on water fluoridation, writes Robert Schwarten.
Editor’s view: Latest proof health portfolio is a poisoned chalice
While many of their problems may be inherited, Tim Nicholls and his director-general need to come to grips with the beast, and quickly, writes the editor.