MEMBER for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller has accused Queensland of being a “secret state” after the health department refused to reveal how private employee information about Labor’s Stafford by-election candidate, Dr Anthony Lynham, was leaked to the media. Mrs Miller used yesterday morning’s Health and Community Services Committee estimates hearing to grill Queensland Health director-general Ian Maynard, and Metro North Hospital and Health Service chief executive Malcolm Stamp, about its policies and procedures. Details of Dr Lynham’s employment files, including an overpayment during the Queensland Health pay bungle, were reportedly leaked to the Courier Mail last week. Mrs Miller asked Mr Maynard why he had not initiated an inquiry or investigation into the leaking of the maxillofacial surgeon’s personal file. “I have not initiated an inquiry,” Mr Maynard responded. “There have been no complaints raised with me, or the department.” Mrs Miller further pressed the health chiefs on who had access to Dr Lynham’s files. “We have a payroll team of just over 800 employees,” Mr Maynard said. “They have access to (the) payroll system. “There are processes in place that protect private information of all our employees.” But Mrs Miller was not so convinced. “It seems to be to be the case, given your answer, that if a journalist rings the Minister’s office in relation to any employee of Queensland Health, in relation to personal information and payroll, that you will get this information for him?” she said. It was at that point committee chairman Trevor Ruthenburg moved the hearing on to other matters. Dr Lynham was contacted for comment but, due to Saturday’s by-election, a spokesman for the candidate said he would not be discussing the issue.