The Federal Court in Brisbane has adjourned a legal dispute between Queensland Health and unions over doctor contracts. #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
Hundreds of senior medical officers are refusing to sign new State Government public hospital employment contracts and are threatening to resign en masse.
Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has ruled out an extension to the April 30 deadline for signing contracts, but has allowed any doctors who want to resign to give two months’ notice instead of three.
Queensland Health and union lawyers were ordered to appear in the Federal Court today to resolve the urgency of a legal case over the State Government’s doctor contracts.
The Government is seeking an injunction to stop the circulation of union materials, which it claims are misleading.
The Together union says it is a bullying tactic to silence debate.
The hearing was originally scheduled for May 6, but the deadline for doctors to sign the new contracts is April 30.
Justice Andrew Greenwood said he ordered today’s proceeding to clarify what direction the parties wanted to take.
Queensland Health’s lawyer said they were working towards a solution and there was no need to bring the case forward.
The matter has been adjourned until May 23.
Source: ABC News