Minister’s Office influenced timing of health data dump, documents show

Significant public health data was only released to the public when it suited the Minister’s political timetable rather than when it was ready, documents have revealed.

The timing of the release of significant public health data is being influenced by ministerial staff documents, it can be revealed, in an example of the problematic “overreach” exposed by a landmark integrity report.

An exchange between Queensland Health staff, detailed in documents obtained by the opposition, revealed public servants were being directed by ministerial staff to release health data at a specific time and were chastised for publishing information “too early”.

The timing of the data release, at 10am on May 26, was 15 minutes before Question Time on the final parliamentary sitting day of the week. The documents come in the aftermath of a review into Queensland’s public service which detailed a concerning culture of “overreach” and “increasing influence” of ministerial staffers on bureaucrats.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath.

The report by Professor Peter Coaldrake noted bureaucrats sometimes felt “pressured” by ministerial staff or senior officers to tailor advice to suit the government’s agenda.

“The unsteadiness of the public sector, and particularly the public service within it, has contributed to an atmosphere of fear,” Prof Coaldrake stated.

The messages between the Queensland Health staff show on May 20, a Healthcare Improvement Unit staff member asked a senior departmental liaison officer if there was “any update on publishing?”

Five days later they asked again and were told “Word is that it could be tomorrow afternoon but will let you know when we hear for sure”.

In one exchange, a public servant was questioned over the health data going live “too early” at 7.45am, instead of the “agreed to” time of 10am as requested by the Minister’s office.

“I thought the data took like 2 hours to load lol,” a senior departmental liaison officer wrote to the member of the HIU.

“I know,” they respond. “I was like hey this looks bad haha. Reason is the team got a head start this morning – completing all the activities behind the scene.”

“Maybe tell them for future not to do that lol the MO (Minister’s office) wanted it going live at 10am,” was the reply.

Professor Peter Coaldrake’s integrity report noted bureaucrats sometimes felt “pressured” by ministerial staff or senior officers to tailor advice to suit the government’s agenda.

The HIU staff member said the “team had good intentions ... however, I have reiterated in future that we need to follow the instructions as provided by the (senior departmental liaison officer/Minister’s office)”.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath’s office did not answer questions on why it appeared to have influence on the timing of the release of data and whether this was appropriate.

A spokesman said the government “publishes quarterly performance data as it becomes available and speaks publicly about the data when it is released”.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli asked how the government could fix the health system if its “sole focus” was on releasing data at a “politically expedient” time.

“This tells you everything you need to know about how this government has changed and how in their third term, everything is about its political survival,” he said.

MESSAGES EXCHANGED BETWEEN QH STAFF

May 20

7.30am Healthcare Improvement Unit staffer: “Morning! Just checking in whether any update on publishing?”

7.35amSenior departmental liaison officer: hey! good timing as | went into the MO late yesterday to get an update. Advice was that they have asked for some additional advice from MSHHS and looking unlikely publishing with be today. | asked if there was any chance it would be next week and it couldnt be confirmed

7.36amHIUS: No probs, shall continue to sit tight :)

May 25

1.36 pmHIUS: Hey, any update on publishing performance data?

1.37pmSDLO: haha you read my mind, | was just about to message you! Word is that it could be tomorrow afternoon but of course will let you know when we hear for sure.

May 26

8.36 am SDLO: i thought the data took like 2 hours to load lol

8.37 amHIUS: | know, | was like hey this looks bad haha. Reason is the team got a head start this morning - completing all the activities behind the scene.

8.38am SDLO: maybe tell them for future not to do that lol the MO wanted it going live at 10

8.39am HIUS: Ahhh OK, will give them a heads up for future.

9.39am HIUS: Some data was published from 7.45am, I clarified this was to commence from 8am. The team advised they need to allow time for prep activities and troubleshooting ... whilst being mindful the request was for all data to be live by 9.30am. The team had good intentions to ensure we met the timeframe ... I have reiterated in future that we need to follow instructions provided by SDLO/MO.

9.39am SDLO: ok thanks. yeah it was by 10 not by 9:30 so not sure where they got that from

9.40am HIUS: I’ll speak to the team about developing a overview document to assist with clarifying the data...