Speaker Curtis Pitt temporarily steps down for mental health

Queensland Speaker Curtis Pitt has revealed he will temporarily step down from his role to look after his mental health after sleeping in and missing the beginning of parliament this week.

Curtis Pitt missed the start of regional parliament in Cairns this week. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland Speaker Curtis Pitt will temporarily step down from his role to focus on mental health challenges after sleeping in and missing the beginning of parliament this week.

In the shock announcement, he said he cited the emotional carnage of his “lengthy divorce” and revealed an ongoing battle with depression.

Mr Pitt also said his mystery illness, which was blamed for missing formal ceremonies to launch regional parliament in Cairns on Tuesday before showing up about half-an-hour late to perform his duties as Speaker, is ulcerative colitis — an inflammatory bowel disease.

“I’m not doing as well emotionally as I’ve made out to anyone,” he announced on Saturday afternoon.

“A lengthy divorce after more than two decades of marriage, an underlying medical condition in ulcerative colitis, suffering from depression, and requiring ongoing medication for my back — for which I am scheduled to have surgery soon.

Curtis Pitt announced he was taking time off. Source: Instagram

“My elderly parents both have serious health issues and my work over five terms as an MP, a regional Minister, and as Speaker have taken a toll.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to take a period of time off for my mental health to get well and to do my job to the best of my abilities.

“I owe that to my colleagues, the Parliament and to my electorate.”

Mr Pitt said he will continue in his role as Speaker until Tuesday to “finalise some matters with my office”, but gave no indication for the duration of his leave of absence.

“I hope that people can be understanding of my circumstances and of this decision,” the Speaker said in a statement.

Although a time period for the absence was not announced, The Courier-Mail understands the Speaker is expecting to be on leave for about four weeks.

Insiders said the government recognised the extraordinary circumstances facing Mr Pitt, who they said needs time to manage his physical and mental health conditions.

Deputy Speaker Joe Kelly, who served in an acting capacity during Mr Pitt’s absence last week, is expected to step into the role in the coming weeks.

Speaker of the House and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt during the regional sitting of Cabinet in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said he supported Mr Pitt’s decision.

“Obviously I’ve known Curtis for many years. He has performed on a very high level for 12 or 13 years and sometimes in life a variety of things converge at the same time, and make life really hard and I think Curtis’s announcement is to his absolute credit,” Mr Bailey said.

“There’s some difficulties that he’s going through which all of us go through at some point.

“He’s being open and honest about what they are. He’s making his health his number one priority. “And I think that’s exactly the right decision and I back him 100 per cent.”

Mr Bailey said he had not yet been in contact with Mr Pitt but was planning to call him on Sunday to have a chat and wish him well.

“I get on very well with Curtis and I think everyone in parliament respects how good a speaker he is, he is very fair, he runs a good show,” he said.

“ His parents have had some difficulties, it is the brave and courageous thing to admit there’s a few issues and that he’s going to sort them out.”

The Courier-Mail reported earlier in the week the speaker was missing when parliament began in Pitt’s home town.

Mr Bailey said Pitt would have loved to be a part of it but the timing just shows the extent of the difficulties.

“That shows how significant it was at the time. We need to support people who have challenges in terms of their health and mental health.

The Courier-Mail reported earlier in the week Tuesday morning’s Welcome to Country was delayed for about 20 minutes as politicians and media waited for the Speaker to arrive – but he didn’t show up.

The Speaker was also missing when parliament began with Mr Kelly forced to step into the role.

Mr Pitt arrived about half-an-hour later and presided over the remainder of Question Time.

But he then exited the floor of parliament before leaving the special sitting at the Cairns Convention Centre, blaming his absence on an illness.

He was then absent for the remainder of regional parliament in his hometown.

Mr Pitt told The Courier-Mail earlier in the week he attended government events on Monday night where he had “a couple of drinks” – but he insisted he was not affected by alcohol when he turned up to parliament late on Tuesday.