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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Hon Yvette D'Ath, Member for Redcliffe (ALP), Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, speaking during question time in Queensland Parliament, Brisbane, on Thursday 12th May 2022 - Photo Steve Pohlner

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.”

Callide MP Bryson Head. Picture: Sarah Marshall

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.”