Why Chris Davis was sacked
Premier Campbell Newman announced the sacking of Assistant Health Minister Chris Davis an hour before the federal budget was released.
Premier Campbell Newman has sensationally sacked Assistant Health Minister Chris Davis from his Cabinet.
Mr Newman said he advised Mr Davis of his sacking in on Tuesday afternoon.
“Dr Davis’s recent actions have breached the long-established Westminster convention of cabinet solidarity and made his position untenable,” Mr Newman said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.
“I thank Dr Davis for the contribution he has made in the role, and look forward to his continuing contribution to the government’s efforts on behalf of his constituents.”
Dr Davis publicly broke ranks with the government a number of times in recent months.
In March, a letter he had written warning his LNP colleagues that new work contracts for doctors could compromise patient safety was leaked to media.
The letter was never actually sent, but the leak led Health Minister Lawrence Springborg to hold a crisis meeting with Dr Davis to confirm his loyalty.
A few weeks later he told public hospital doctors that he shared their concerns about the new contracts.
Dr Davis then threatened to resign if the dispute over the contracts wasn’t resolved.
Then week, he hinted he could cross the floor over the government’s changes to the state’s corruption watchdog.
He even took the extraordinary step of commissioning his own poll to gauge the views of voters in his electorate.
Mr Newman announced Mr Davis’ exit shortly before federal Treasurer Joe Hockey was due to deliver the federal budget.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said the timing of the annoucement was “weak”.
“This method of announcement is a sneaky political manoeuvre designed to avoid scrutiny over his government’s failings,” she said.
“The fact there is a need for an announcement at all shows the dysfunctional government this premier runs and his absolute inability to work constructively with those who hold alternative views to his own.”
A spokesman for the Premier said a meeting between Mr Newman and Dr Davis, which was initiated by the Premier, started about 5.30pm and the announcement was made as quickly as possible.
Comment has been sought from Dr Davis.
Source: AAP