Annastacia Palaszczuk ‘concerned’ for Speaker after slurs

Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is concerned for Queensland Speaker Curtis Pitt, who took unexpected leave on Wednesday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is concerned for state Speaker Curtis Pitt, who took unexpected leave on Wednesday morning after slurring his words in parliament.

Mr Pitt announced he would take leave following high-level discussions in the Palaszczuk government about whether he could remain in the role, or whether a vote should be taken to replace him.

Queensland ALP president John Battams visited parliament on Wednesday afternoon to meet with Mr Pitt and minister Grace Grace, who is head of the Old Guard faction.

“A number for members were concerned about his health and wellbeing and we want him to get better,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “I think it just goes to show that these health and wellbeing issues can happen to anyone at any time in their lives and we need to let them have that time to get better.”

Mr Pitt had returned to work only on Monday after going on several weeks of leave to take care of his mental health. He had to be woken up by police in Cairns on May 9 after he failed to turn up to the regional sitting of parliament in his home city.

The Australian on Wednesday revealed the Speaker had ignored repeated private advice from the parliamentary clerk to leave during question time.

Mr Pitt on Wednesday said he would take a further period of leave as “consequence of my ongoing medical issues”.