Stephen Bennett apologises for calls to cut health worker entitlements

LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has ‘unconditionally’ apologised for calling for cuts to health worker entitlements in the light of bombshell hospital performance data.

LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has apologised in the wake of Qld govt calls for him to do just that new data turned the spotlight on Bundaberg Hospital.

LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett apologised on Thursday for social media comments he made criticising health workers at Bundaberg Hospital.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman told parliament on Wednesday Mr Bennet had engaged in an argument with a “local grandmother” on his Facebook page on Monday night after making a post that was critical of the hospital.

In response to the grandmother stating that her granddaughter worked at Bundaberg Hospital, Mr Bennett said “you are part of the problem … time we broke the back of unrealistic employee entitlements,” according to Ms Fentiman.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman (right) and Bundaberg MP Tom Smith (left) said Stephen Bennett's comments revealed LNP plans to cut back health workers' entitlements.

Ms Fentiman called for Mr Bennett to apologise in a media release issued on Wednesday afternoon.

“Clearly, the LNP are determined to return to the ways of the Campbell Newman years, when thousands of nurses and midwives were sacked across Queensland … Stephen Bennett should apologise today,” Ms Fentiman said.

The original posts made by Mr Bennett have been removed from his Facebook page.

On Thursday, Mr Bennett apologised for his remarks which he said were made when “trading barbs” with a local Labor Party member.

“While trading barbs with a local Labor Party member, who I debated many times, I regrettably made comments I should not have,” Mr Bennett said.

“There is absolutely no excuse for my comments and I unconditionally apologise for them.

“My comments do not reflect any position of the LNP.”

Stephen Bennett apologised for his comments which he said were made while "trading barbs" with an ALP party member.

Opposition spokesman for health Ros Bates accused Ms Fentiman of making “misleading” comments and called for her to withdraw the release.

“The LNP has continually affirmed our support for our hard working doctors, nurses and midwives who are struggling under the chaos and crisis of your Labor Government,” Ms Bates said.

On Thursday, ALP Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said “the Member for Burnett has no right to continually criticise our hardworking health workers in the Bundaberg Hospital”.

“ … While our health workers do amazing work and are absolutely deserving of their workplace rights and entitlements, the Member for Burnett wants to cut them away.”

The war of words follows the Courier-Mail’s bombshell analysis of Queensland hospital performance data which once again turned the spotlight on the inadequate healthcare provided to the people of Bundaberg.

Bundaberg Hospital was at full capacity for 22% of the June quarter, the longest duration across all Qld hospitals.

The updated Queensland Health Hospital Performance website revealed that nearly all key hospitals were at full capacity more than 10 times in the June 2023 quarter, for an average duration of 45.5 hours.

Bundaberg Hospital was escalated to tier 3 – meaning it was at full capacity – six times throughout the quarter, much fewer than Rockhampton Base Hospital which had 15 escalations.

However, Bundaberg Hospital was maintained at full capacity for an average of 81 hours and 37 minutes per escalation, the highest average duration in the state.

This means that Bundaberg Hospital was at full capacity for 20 days or 22 per cent of the April – June quarter.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Stephen Bennett apologises for calls to cut health worker entitlements