Doctors’ contracts dispute: Queensland Premier Campbell Newman vows to fight union rabble rousing #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says new specialists will be recruited from interstate or overseas if doctors resign over the individual contracts dispute.
Organisers estimate about 2,000 doctors and supporters attended a meeting last night in Brisbane and voted to reject the contracts and proceed with plans for mass resignations.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg says a potential solution had been agreed to earlier in the week.
“The goal posts keep changing. trust and honour goes both ways,” he said.
Mr Newman has accused unions of “rabble rousing” and says no-one should doubt the State Government’s resolve to push ahead with the individual agreements.
“If we have to recruit people from interstate or overseas, Madam Speaker, we shall do that,” he told Queensland Parliament.
“I say to the rank and file doctors – please go and look at the contracts, listen to what the Minister has said.
“Read what the director-general has put out and then judge.
“People like ASMOFQ [Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation Queensland] … they are are simply a bunch of people who want a war, not a solution.”
Mr Newman has questioned whether doctors and union representatives have the interests of patients at heart.
Queensland Health director-general Ian Maynard says he was given little opportunity to explain the Government’s case in the five minutes allocated at last night’s doctors’ meeting.
“My only concern is ensuring that we’re focused on patient outcomes and I will do everything I possibly can to make sure that I explain fully to doctors what is on offer,” he said.
“The changes that the Government has made, the changes to legislation, and the contracts.”
Mr Maynard says he was manhandled by two union officials on the way in.
He told the crowd their concerns were addressed by recent addendum to the contract before he was shouted down.
“I was a little frustrated there wasn’t an opportunity to fully explain and take questions from the audience,” he said.
Mr Maynard says the ball is now in the doctors’ court but he is open to more talks.
However, Opposition spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller says Mr Newman or Mr Springborg should have been at the meeting.
“You don’t send a public servant to do your dirty work,” she said.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says Mr Newman should intervene.
“Fix this health crisis,” she said.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said it would resume talks with the Government to find a solution.
AMA federal president Dr Steve Hambleton says the State Government has caused deep upset.
Dr Hambleton says the senior medical officers want to put the dispute behind them but they will not sign contracts that are unfair.