Queensland Health payroll debacle: $38 million still owed

HEALTH Minister Cameron Dick has, for the first time, released the number of nurses and doctors paying back overpayments from the infamous payroll bungle — and the millions they still owe.

Health Minister Cameron Dick there was $38 million still owing from the payroll debacle. The debt incurred between 2010 and 2013. Picture: Stewart McLean

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NEARLY 32,000 Queensland Health employees still owe $38 million in payroll overpayments.

Health Minister Cameron Dick has, for the first time, released the number of nurses and doctors paying back overpayments under the Bligh government’s infamous health payroll bungle.

But he said the amount owed had nearly halved in the past two years.

Almost $70 million was owed in February 2015 and $38.3 million was outstanding last month, with 12,337 people clearing their debts in that time.

Nearly 1400 people still owe more than $5000, 8840 workers still owe between $1000 and $5000 and 21,640 people are paying back amounts up to $1000.

Mr Dick said workers were on repayment plans as bureaucrats balanced the need to recover the vast debt incurred between 2010 and 2013 with a need for sensitivity for those who could not pay back amounts owed in one go.

The overpayments were made during the Bligh government. Picture Kym Smith

“These are effectively the historical debts going back to the original problem with the health payment system for which I’ve apologised,” he said.

“We’ve got a duty to recover as much money as possible for the people of Queensland as all the money we recover goes back into Queensland Health.”

Mr Dick said few payroll ­errors still occurred and were now recouped automatically in the next pay cycle.