That's it for question time.
Question Time live: Palaszczuk government grilled over claims of Caboolture Hospital malpractice
The Palaszczuk government has come under fire over its handling of the Caboolture Hospital, with the LNP attacking over ongoing investigations and alleged malpractice. QUESTION TIME BLOG
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has come under fire about the Caboolture Hospital, with the LNP questioning the government about ongoing investigations and alleged malpractice.
The LNP peppered the Palaszczuk government over its response to an independent review into the hospital, which was launched following reporting in The Courier-Mail.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli asked Ms D'Ath whether a mother or baby died as a result of malpractice at the Caboolture Hospital.
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Ms D'Ath said an independent review into the hospital was launched last year and 18 of the 19 recommendations from the report had been implemented.
"There were no findings against hospital staff relating to malpractice," she said.
"There has been no findings against staff of malpractice relating to any deaths at Caboolture Hospital.
"I will not talk about active investigations."
Ms D'Ath said the 12 investigations related to staff conduct and "do not relate to any patient death or harm" and called for the Leader of the Opposition to "stand up and set the record straight".
EARLIER: New Callide MP Bryson Head has declared Queensland‘s hugely-popular container refund scheme a subtle tax which people are risking their lives for.
In a maverick and pointed maiden speech on Tuesday night Mr Head, the LNP‘s youngest MP, warned against taking his rural community for granted.
He criticised the amount of waste in the environment and the government‘s introduction of the widely-popular container refund scheme.
“In principle, I do not like taxes, including the containers for change tax the average punter may not yet realise is another new and fancy tax,” he said.
“We now have people risking their lives picking cans and bottles up from the sides of highways and roads all to reclaim 10 cents, thanks to the many grubs who left them there.
“When plastics first started being widely used, remember they were meant to save the trees … now we’ve forgotten about the trees, for the turtles need saving instead.”
However, Mr Head‘s attack was on a policy his party has frequently criticised the Palaszczuk government for stealing.
In 2016 then Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls pledged to introduce a container refund scheme to provide 10c for each aluminium, glass and plastic drink container returned for recycling.
Mr Head said it was “absolutely appalling” how much waste and litter was in the environment, but said people should have considered the pros and cons of plastic.
“The latest clean and green technology might seem fashionable, just as the plastic bag did at the time,” he said.
Mr Head was elected as Callide’s sixth MP after the resignation of former MP Colin Boyce, who was elected to the federal parliament in the seat of Flynn.
The new Callide MP also warned decision makers against shutting down his community’s fossil fuel and manufacturing industries without replaceable jobs.
“Remember the wealth that my community has created for you and your own backyard,” he said.
“Do not treat my community with disdain for they grow the cotton on your back, they grow the food on your plate and they produce the energy both through renewables and fossil fuels that keep your lights on.
“We simply want you to consider this before you skin us for everything we‘ve got.
“If you fail to keep this in mind, you’ve made an enemy of me and my people.”
Updates
Question time concludes
Caboolture probe makes way for coal question
Opposition backbencher Lachlan Millar has questioned Resources Minister Scott Stewart about how a young mine worker in his electorate could have confidence in their future if investor reliability was threatened by the government's shifting policies.
Treasurer Cameron Dick attempted to shutdown the question, noting he made a comprehensive ministerial statement on BHP's decision to stall the Blackwater South coal mine on ice – a point Speaker Curtis Pitt refuted.
Mr Stewart noted the opposition supported the royalty increase and said "BHP has been moving away from coal for the last 20 years".
– Hayden Johnson
KAP: Spanish mackerel quotas never reached
Katter's Australian Party MP Shane Knuth has said spanish mackerel fishing quotas have never been reached since being introduced in 2004.
He asked Fisheries Minister Mark Furner whether he would take responsibility for the "alleged low stock levels" of the species.
Mr Furner said the government was undertaking a detailed assessment around stock numbers and that it was important the species was protected.
– Domanii Cameron
Greens push minister on pill testing trial
Greens MP Michael Berkman has asked Health Minister Yvette D'Ath if the government would trial pill testing, and if it would then look to make the move permanent.
Ms D'Ath confirmed the mental health commissioner was looking at the risks and benefits of undertaking pill testing.
She said any action on the issue would have to be grounded in evidence
"We have to work through these issues verry, very carefully in whatever we do," Ms D'Ath said.
"It is an important area.
"We will do it in a way that is thorough, that is evidenced based."
– Jack McKay
"There have been no findings of malpractice by a staff member"
Glasshouse MP Andrew Powell's turn now to grill the Health Minister with a question on Caboolture Hospital and an associated death, this time accusing the Minister of either not being "across her brief", or "not capable of healthing the health crisis".
Ms D'Ath insists she has been accurate in her answers on the issue, saying "asking whether there was a death under review and claiming that death was due to malpractice are two very different things".
"People should have confidence to go to our public health system, (and) not be scared," she said.
"There have been no findings of malpractice by a staff member."
– Stephanie Bennett
Bates gets the boot for an hour
Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates has been booted from parliament for one hour after interjecting.
Who should Queenslanders trust on health?
Opposition Water spokeswoman Deb Frecklington noted an independent review into Caboolture Hospital found one decision to operate had resulted in the death of a patient who would have otherwise been expected to survive – and asked Health Minister Yvette D'Ath who Queenslanders should trust, the review or the minister?
"I'm happy to look at what the member is actually referring to," Ms D'Ath said.
"Those opposite continue to talk down our health system."
The minister said the government had provided a record investment in health.
– Hayden Johnson
D'Ath: No probes relate to harm or death
Opposition frontbencher Christian Rowan has asked Health Minister Yvette D'Ath whether any cases relating to the ongoing probes at Caboolture Hospital had been referred to the Queensland Audit of Surgical Mortality.
Ms D'Ath repeated that none of the 12 probes underway related to harm or death of any patients.
– Domanii Cameron
D'Ath continues to fend off opposition health probe
Deputy LNP leader Jarrod Bleijie has asked Health Minister Yvette D'Ath what actions she has taken to ensure patients' lives have not been put at risk at Caboolture Hospital following the review into the hospital.
Ms D'Ath hit back by saying she had provided a response to the question in her previous answers.
The Health Minister has previously noted how the Sweeney Review found no evidence of failures by individual surgeons or incidents of them operating outside their training.
– Jack McKay
Minister slams LNP's 'personal attacks' on Caboolture Hospital staff
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has been asked another question about the Caboolture Hospital, with the Opposition now claiming whistleblowers have reported one of the reviews involved surgeries being performed without approved staff in theatre.
But the Minister turned it back on those opposite, saying staff at the hospital are "devastated" by the ongoing saga, and they feel it is a "personal attack on their performance".
"Having said that, if there are allegations, they should be properly reported and investigated," she said.
Ms D'Ath seemed to know of an anonymous letter the Opposition have got a hold of, and says "it has been referred to an external investigation" and "none of the complaints in that letter have been substantiated".
– Stephanie Bennett
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