Yvette D’Ath told she was losing health portfolio just minutes before giving DNA press conference
Yvette D’Ath was told by the Premier she was being kicked off the Health portfolio just minutes before she had to give a press conference over the latest crisis, it can be revealed.
QLD Politics
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Soon-to-be-former Health Minister Yvette D’Ath met with the Premier to learn her fate just minutes before holding a press conference on ongoing DNA issues, it can be revealed.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is set to undertake a rare reshuffle of her cabinet within the next 48 hours, with Ms D’Ath understood to be moved from the health portfolio and into her previous role as Attorney-General.
It’s understood current Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman will be sworn in as health minister.
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch will be moved on from their current portfolios.
Other ministers will be impacted as collateral of the reshuffle.
Ms D’Ath was due to hold a press conference on Tuesday about 2.45pm or 3pm after a meeting at 1 William St, but did not front the media until 3.20pm.
It’s understood the meeting was with the Premier.
Pressure on Ms D’Ath had been building in recent months following repeated scandals within the portfolio, including ambulance ramping, the DNA bungle, and the maternity crisis in Central Queensland.
A senior Labor source said the reshuffle was set to act as a circuit breaker for a government under pressure on health, youth justice and housing – particularly in the lead up to the budget.
But no new faces are expected to be brought in to cabinet at this time.
Ms Palaszczuk, described by detractors as timid and by supporters as cautious and measured, is understood to have been well alive to the pressures the government had faced in health, youth justice and housing.
It’s understood concerns had been aired to her by backbenchers, on top of feedback from the public.
YouGov polling commissioned by The Courier-Mail last month identified health, youth crime and housing as the biggest concerns of voters, with the results sparking internal Labor calls for change.
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