LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 27 August 2007
Dear Editor
The Premier keeps referring to the "independent commissioners" as if he had no active part in the radical restructuring of local government boundaries.
There is an age-old adage, Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.
Peter Beattie and Labor’s Federal Leader Kevin Rudd see regional councils as their tool to concentrate power in fewer hands and to deny the citizens of Queensland the local representation that is essential to democracy.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Keys to the Lodge?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 22 August 2007
Dear Editor
Can leopards change their spots?
Under the guise of implementing much needed Fitzgerald reforms, Kevin Rudd when he worked as Director-General under former Premier Wayne Goss, succeeded in concentrating government decision‑making in the State capital, nobbling the workings of the proposed Freedom of Information legislation, and ensuring accountability was mentioned often but implemented rarely.
Now he is asking for the keys to the Lodge?
Dear Editor
Can leopards change their spots?
Under the guise of implementing much needed Fitzgerald reforms, Kevin Rudd when he worked as Director-General under former Premier Wayne Goss, succeeded in concentrating government decision‑making in the State capital, nobbling the workings of the proposed Freedom of Information legislation, and ensuring accountability was mentioned often but implemented rarely.
Now he is asking for the keys to the Lodge?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Rudd's Foundation
LETTER TO EDITOR - 14 August 2007
Dear Editor
Over the past few months, Premier Beattie has unabashedly ripped the "local" out of Local Government while his Federal leader, Kevin Rudd, has stood limply to one side promising to "look very carefully" at the forced amalgamations.
It is not so long ago that Kevin Rudd, as Director-General for then‑Premier Goss, was ripping the heart out of rural and regional Queensland himself. Nicknamed "Dr Death" and "Toecutter" by his work colleagues, he set about slashing services that the city politicians thought we did not need: shutting schools, court houses, rail lines, and government offices all over the State.
Heads rolled in virtually every department as he systematically set about politicising the public service to suit Labor's agenda of transferring power from communities to bureaucrats like himself.
Under the guise of implementing much needed Fitzgerald reforms, Rudd succeeded in concentrating government decision‑making in the capital, nobbling the fledgling Freedom of Information ideal and ensuring accountability was mentioned often but implemented rarely.
The engrained culture of bullying, cover‑ups and managerial madness which has typified the Beattie administration since is the direct fruit of Kevin Rudd's three years of remodelling Queensland under Goss.
Beattie's forced amalgamation of democratically elected councils just builds on the foundation laid by Kevin Rudd. Local Government is seen as their tool to further concentrate power in fewer hands and to deny the citizens of Queensland the local representation that is essential to democracy.
Dear Editor
Over the past few months, Premier Beattie has unabashedly ripped the "local" out of Local Government while his Federal leader, Kevin Rudd, has stood limply to one side promising to "look very carefully" at the forced amalgamations.
It is not so long ago that Kevin Rudd, as Director-General for then‑Premier Goss, was ripping the heart out of rural and regional Queensland himself. Nicknamed "Dr Death" and "Toecutter" by his work colleagues, he set about slashing services that the city politicians thought we did not need: shutting schools, court houses, rail lines, and government offices all over the State.
Heads rolled in virtually every department as he systematically set about politicising the public service to suit Labor's agenda of transferring power from communities to bureaucrats like himself.
Under the guise of implementing much needed Fitzgerald reforms, Rudd succeeded in concentrating government decision‑making in the capital, nobbling the fledgling Freedom of Information ideal and ensuring accountability was mentioned often but implemented rarely.
The engrained culture of bullying, cover‑ups and managerial madness which has typified the Beattie administration since is the direct fruit of Kevin Rudd's three years of remodelling Queensland under Goss.
Beattie's forced amalgamation of democratically elected councils just builds on the foundation laid by Kevin Rudd. Local Government is seen as their tool to further concentrate power in fewer hands and to deny the citizens of Queensland the local representation that is essential to democracy.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Local Government - Forced Amalgamations - 2007
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 28 July 2007
The Editor
Understandably reactions to Friday's local government announcement were mixed. "Jubilation" in some quarters (FCC 28/07/07), tears in others.
There will be winners and losers as the forced amalgamation is implemented both here and across much of the State.
Voters may think the West was spared the slasher's knife. Not so. A quick read of the Reform Commission's Report shows that whilst Beattie's action team left their boundaries intact most western councils will be reduced to just four councillors plus a mayor. Even these people have been robbed of representation.
The reality in Maryborough, Woocoo and Tiaro is just as stark. According to the Report, Hervey Bay will have the potential to outvote the rest of the new council area by 5 to 3 every time.
Clearly the sewing circles will need to be disbanded and a lot of thought given to who has the skills and drive to represent the three smaller teams on the new playing field.
Councillors who thought they could sit in their corner and amalgamations would go away, those who have sat on their hands and been silent while our local hospital has been progressively dismantled, or who have been squabbling over the showgrounds, or building monuments to their own foolishness on the Town Green, should consider their imminent retirement, otherwise there will be 66 million more reasons why ratepayers will rue the day they were dumped into the new Fraser Coast Regional Council.
The Editor
Understandably reactions to Friday's local government announcement were mixed. "Jubilation" in some quarters (FCC 28/07/07), tears in others.
There will be winners and losers as the forced amalgamation is implemented both here and across much of the State.
Voters may think the West was spared the slasher's knife. Not so. A quick read of the Reform Commission's Report shows that whilst Beattie's action team left their boundaries intact most western councils will be reduced to just four councillors plus a mayor. Even these people have been robbed of representation.
The reality in Maryborough, Woocoo and Tiaro is just as stark. According to the Report, Hervey Bay will have the potential to outvote the rest of the new council area by 5 to 3 every time.
Clearly the sewing circles will need to be disbanded and a lot of thought given to who has the skills and drive to represent the three smaller teams on the new playing field.
Councillors who thought they could sit in their corner and amalgamations would go away, those who have sat on their hands and been silent while our local hospital has been progressively dismantled, or who have been squabbling over the showgrounds, or building monuments to their own foolishness on the Town Green, should consider their imminent retirement, otherwise there will be 66 million more reasons why ratepayers will rue the day they were dumped into the new Fraser Coast Regional Council.
Editorial Perspective
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 19 May 2007
Dear Editor
What is worse? A CEO getting political or an editor who thinks her own perspective is so important it needs to dominate the front page and flow over onto page 6?
Is this the pot calling the kettle black?
In a shake-up pre-determined by a State government not listening to its own citizens, neither Mr Greensill’s nor Ms Bates’ views will make one “iota of difference” (FCC 18/05/07).
Both need to take a cold shower and get back to some real work.
Dear Editor
What is worse? A CEO getting political or an editor who thinks her own perspective is so important it needs to dominate the front page and flow over onto page 6?
Is this the pot calling the kettle black?
In a shake-up pre-determined by a State government not listening to its own citizens, neither Mr Greensill’s nor Ms Bates’ views will make one “iota of difference” (FCC 18/05/07).
Both need to take a cold shower and get back to some real work.
Local Government Boundaries - 2007
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 14 May 2007
Dear Editor
Probably most people concede that a review of Queensland's Local Government boundaries is long overdue and that sensible changes could bring about significant savings and benefits for ratepayers. However, when the same protagonists are constantly interviewed or reported promoting one course or another, the public can be forgiven for being sceptical.
It seems to me that most of the alleged reasons for change or otherwise are based on self-interest and little consideration is being given to presenting factual information on which people can base their judgements or form an opinion.
The anecdotal evidence from interstate suggests that forced amalgamation of cities and shires rarely achieves the financial savings trumpeted before the event. Instead we see a new level of empire building as shire mayors and CEO's are replaced by city-based mayors and CEO's on substantially inflated packages, surrounded by an even larger assortment of consultants and other advisors.
Perhaps this explains why individuals who think they have the most to gain from the present review are doing most of the talking?
Hopefully, councillors and other commentators can begin to focus more on what is actually going to work best for ratepayers and the community and think less of their own personal agendas.
Dear Editor
Probably most people concede that a review of Queensland's Local Government boundaries is long overdue and that sensible changes could bring about significant savings and benefits for ratepayers. However, when the same protagonists are constantly interviewed or reported promoting one course or another, the public can be forgiven for being sceptical.
It seems to me that most of the alleged reasons for change or otherwise are based on self-interest and little consideration is being given to presenting factual information on which people can base their judgements or form an opinion.
The anecdotal evidence from interstate suggests that forced amalgamation of cities and shires rarely achieves the financial savings trumpeted before the event. Instead we see a new level of empire building as shire mayors and CEO's are replaced by city-based mayors and CEO's on substantially inflated packages, surrounded by an even larger assortment of consultants and other advisors.
Perhaps this explains why individuals who think they have the most to gain from the present review are doing most of the talking?
Hopefully, councillors and other commentators can begin to focus more on what is actually going to work best for ratepayers and the community and think less of their own personal agendas.
Peter Beattie - 2006
LETTER TO EDITOR - 1 August 2006
Dear Editor
Peter Beattie is a master at self-delusion and make-believe, a premier with more press officers and policy advisors than most hospitals have nurses and doctors combined. He leads a government big on spin but bereft of substance.
For years he has filled the halls of George Street with bureaucrats and statisticians, re-inventing procedures, recycling old ideas and thinking up new themes and logos, while birthing units have closed across the state and communities have tried to save what's left.
While millions have been poured into city football stadiums and foot bridges, regional centres have struggled to maintain even the most essential services.
Peter Beattie’s Smart State continues to poach doctors from Third World communities, our ambulances are constantly being diverted to juggle the remaining beds in our hospitals, and fire officers have been sent to administer first-aid because no ambulance could be found.
But as cities move to tighter water restrictions, Premier Beattie is desperate for distractions to stop city folk focussing on his lack of achievement after years of surfing on the accomplishments of previous administrations.
At last a dam is announced, but for all the wrong reasons and on a site which will not hold water.
And now a footballer, who lacks self-discipline and talks out of turn, is being held up as an ideal candidate for a future Beattie government (AussieWatch, FCC 31/07006).
Is this all he can offer?
Dear Editor
Peter Beattie is a master at self-delusion and make-believe, a premier with more press officers and policy advisors than most hospitals have nurses and doctors combined. He leads a government big on spin but bereft of substance.
For years he has filled the halls of George Street with bureaucrats and statisticians, re-inventing procedures, recycling old ideas and thinking up new themes and logos, while birthing units have closed across the state and communities have tried to save what's left.
While millions have been poured into city football stadiums and foot bridges, regional centres have struggled to maintain even the most essential services.
Peter Beattie’s Smart State continues to poach doctors from Third World communities, our ambulances are constantly being diverted to juggle the remaining beds in our hospitals, and fire officers have been sent to administer first-aid because no ambulance could be found.
But as cities move to tighter water restrictions, Premier Beattie is desperate for distractions to stop city folk focussing on his lack of achievement after years of surfing on the accomplishments of previous administrations.
At last a dam is announced, but for all the wrong reasons and on a site which will not hold water.
And now a footballer, who lacks self-discipline and talks out of turn, is being held up as an ideal candidate for a future Beattie government (AussieWatch, FCC 31/07006).
Is this all he can offer?
Sense of Morality - 2006
LETTER TO EDITOR - 16 February 2006
Dear Editor
Where are our priorities?
Our State politicians observe a minute’s silence for a convicted drug-runner in Singapore, our Foreign Minister begs for the lives of two remorseless drug dealers in Bali, and our Federal politicians endorse the availability of a toxic pill which takes away the problem of unborn children.
May the Lord be the Judge, because we have lost our sense of morality.
Dear Editor
Where are our priorities?
Our State politicians observe a minute’s silence for a convicted drug-runner in Singapore, our Foreign Minister begs for the lives of two remorseless drug dealers in Bali, and our Federal politicians endorse the availability of a toxic pill which takes away the problem of unborn children.
May the Lord be the Judge, because we have lost our sense of morality.
Parochial Myopia - Candidates - 2006
LETTER TO EDITOR - 31 January 2006
Dear Editor
It seems Steven Dixon suffers the same parochial myopia that afflicts Dr Shaun Rudd and Hervey Bay MP Andrew McNamara (FCC 31/01/06), and the same unfortunate willingness to listen to and take advice from petty bureaucrats.
Clearly Mr Dixon’s legal mind thinks along identical lines to that of his Labor foe. A political clone, and out of touch with everyday realities.
They both seem to think only Hervey Bay people need hospitals and yet Hervey Bay has no major highway, no significant industrial activity, and serves a much smaller geographic area than the regional centre of Maryborough.
Mr Dixon offers the same band-aid logic as his Labor rival: poach personnel and facilities from Maryborough to provide for the growing needs of Hervey Bay and sacrifice a long-standing hospital to prop up an under-resourced new one.
However, neither petty tinkering nor adding “people-sensitive managers” will solve the problems brought about by years of Labor neglect and entrenched mismanagement.
Why not restructure Queensland Health completely to ensure all regional areas get their fair share of the Health purse?Apportion the total Health Budget evenly between the 89 State electorates and allow local communities to decide whether they want to retain their own regional hospital facilities or share one or more larger facilities as in Brisbane.
This way Hervey Bay could have the resources to service its growing population without robbing the greater Wide Bay and its hinterland of essential medical services.
Every community deserves ready access to quality hospital facilities, including fully-functional 24-hour birthing facilities and emergency care.
Dear Editor
It seems Steven Dixon suffers the same parochial myopia that afflicts Dr Shaun Rudd and Hervey Bay MP Andrew McNamara (FCC 31/01/06), and the same unfortunate willingness to listen to and take advice from petty bureaucrats.
Clearly Mr Dixon’s legal mind thinks along identical lines to that of his Labor foe. A political clone, and out of touch with everyday realities.
They both seem to think only Hervey Bay people need hospitals and yet Hervey Bay has no major highway, no significant industrial activity, and serves a much smaller geographic area than the regional centre of Maryborough.
Mr Dixon offers the same band-aid logic as his Labor rival: poach personnel and facilities from Maryborough to provide for the growing needs of Hervey Bay and sacrifice a long-standing hospital to prop up an under-resourced new one.
However, neither petty tinkering nor adding “people-sensitive managers” will solve the problems brought about by years of Labor neglect and entrenched mismanagement.
Why not restructure Queensland Health completely to ensure all regional areas get their fair share of the Health purse?Apportion the total Health Budget evenly between the 89 State electorates and allow local communities to decide whether they want to retain their own regional hospital facilities or share one or more larger facilities as in Brisbane.
This way Hervey Bay could have the resources to service its growing population without robbing the greater Wide Bay and its hinterland of essential medical services.
Every community deserves ready access to quality hospital facilities, including fully-functional 24-hour birthing facilities and emergency care.
Queensland Health - The Remedy - 2006
LETTER TO EDITOR - 17 January 2006
Dear Editor
Saturday's editorial (FCC 14/01/06) was very close to the mark.
We've been fed lies for years about the need to rationalise medical services locally. Those with access to critical information have shirked their responsibility to discern truth from propaganda and plain deceit. Most of our civic leaders have been more interested in squabbling over a few acres of land on the outskirts of our city than in saving and enhancing the essential facilities of a well-equipped district hospital.
Queensland Health is an absolute disgrace. Ask residents in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Emerald, Bundaberg and now Caboolture and Redcliffe. You'll hear the same lies have been told to them as well.
What is the answer?
Firstly, we need to hold the State government fully accountable. Hospitals are a State responsibility and this government is rolling in cash, not only from Federal GST receipts but also from double-dipping on a range of State taxes which the GST was supposed to replace.
As both Premier and Treasurer, Beattie is ultimately responsible for both the direction of the government and for the allocation of funding. His dishonest, bumbling ministers, too lazy or impotent to exact accountability out of their departments, ought to be treated with the same contempt as they have been treating Health.
For years this government has been stripping funding from essential services (hospitals, ambulance and fire services, electricity) to prop up its burgeoning bureaucracy. It is time for a razor gang. Slash the bureaucracy and transfer the funds to where they are needed.
Secondly, the government needs to immediately lift the Budget priority of Health. The minimum benchmark ought to be to match the level of funding provided by other State governments, but much more spending will be needed to keep up with population growth, to satisfy community expectations and to restore public confidence.
Thirdly, take Health out of the clutches of career bureaucrats. Replace the ineffective District Health Councils, which have had no power to curb the foolish whims of QH puppets, with effective, efficient local Hospital Boards chosen directly by the local communities they will serve. These Boards should consist of a blend of appropriately qualified professionals and sensible, practical, common-sense community representatives, all of whom must be passionately committed to keeping our hospitals open and viable, not intent on closing them.
Fourthly, immediately reallocate all State health funding equitably between the 89 electorates across the State so that all Queenslanders have access to high quality medical services not just the inner suburbs of Brisbane. Queensland is the most decentralised State of all and funding needs to be spread more evenly across the State instead of being concentrated in the South Eastern corner.
Fifthly, freeze all new administrative appointments state-wide and implement an aggressive attrition programme to cull the hundreds of superfluous positions created by Queensland Health over the last ten or so years. The Davies Enquiry identified more than 600 unnecessary positions in Brisbane alone.
Sixthly, immediately dismiss Kerry Windsor and any other "managers" who demonstrate that they are devoid of the planning skills to keep our hospitals open or who evidently have no empathy with the concept of a universal hospital service for all Queenslanders.
Seventhly, cancel all leave and freeze all pay rises for QH administration staff until the remaining bureaucrats get our hospitals working properly.
Eighthly, slash the Premier's Department to one-tenth of its present size. Ten percent of the staff would be more than enough to keep us informed of Beattie's activities. We have a government built around one man's ego and clearly devoid of realistic priorities in managing our health system.
While we are on his floor, cancel all further leave and overseas trips for Beattie and his cronies until they get our hospitals back up to the standard we expect.
Ninthly, urgently review all working conditions and remuneration packages for doctors and allied professionals to ensure Queensland is the market leader in Australia - the "smart" State - one that has a world-class hospital system that is the envy of other States and nations. The success of Western Australia in rescuing its troubled hospital system is well documented.
Tenthly, slash university costs and urgently review entrance requirements to encourage more people to pursue careers in medicine and related professions. Perhaps our Federal representatives, in both Houses of Parliament, could exert more influence on their Coalition colleagues to show some leadership in this area also. Clearly, poaching from other nations is not the way to find doctors for our hospitals.
Unless we begin now, nothing will change. In the interim it may be necessary to look seriously at upskilling and other measures to bridge the gap until more graduates become available.
And perhaps a snap election would let every Labor MP know that our hospitals are not negotiable?
Dear Editor
Saturday's editorial (FCC 14/01/06) was very close to the mark.
We've been fed lies for years about the need to rationalise medical services locally. Those with access to critical information have shirked their responsibility to discern truth from propaganda and plain deceit. Most of our civic leaders have been more interested in squabbling over a few acres of land on the outskirts of our city than in saving and enhancing the essential facilities of a well-equipped district hospital.
Queensland Health is an absolute disgrace. Ask residents in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Emerald, Bundaberg and now Caboolture and Redcliffe. You'll hear the same lies have been told to them as well.
What is the answer?
Firstly, we need to hold the State government fully accountable. Hospitals are a State responsibility and this government is rolling in cash, not only from Federal GST receipts but also from double-dipping on a range of State taxes which the GST was supposed to replace.
As both Premier and Treasurer, Beattie is ultimately responsible for both the direction of the government and for the allocation of funding. His dishonest, bumbling ministers, too lazy or impotent to exact accountability out of their departments, ought to be treated with the same contempt as they have been treating Health.
For years this government has been stripping funding from essential services (hospitals, ambulance and fire services, electricity) to prop up its burgeoning bureaucracy. It is time for a razor gang. Slash the bureaucracy and transfer the funds to where they are needed.
Secondly, the government needs to immediately lift the Budget priority of Health. The minimum benchmark ought to be to match the level of funding provided by other State governments, but much more spending will be needed to keep up with population growth, to satisfy community expectations and to restore public confidence.
Thirdly, take Health out of the clutches of career bureaucrats. Replace the ineffective District Health Councils, which have had no power to curb the foolish whims of QH puppets, with effective, efficient local Hospital Boards chosen directly by the local communities they will serve. These Boards should consist of a blend of appropriately qualified professionals and sensible, practical, common-sense community representatives, all of whom must be passionately committed to keeping our hospitals open and viable, not intent on closing them.
Fourthly, immediately reallocate all State health funding equitably between the 89 electorates across the State so that all Queenslanders have access to high quality medical services not just the inner suburbs of Brisbane. Queensland is the most decentralised State of all and funding needs to be spread more evenly across the State instead of being concentrated in the South Eastern corner.
Fifthly, freeze all new administrative appointments state-wide and implement an aggressive attrition programme to cull the hundreds of superfluous positions created by Queensland Health over the last ten or so years. The Davies Enquiry identified more than 600 unnecessary positions in Brisbane alone.
Sixthly, immediately dismiss Kerry Windsor and any other "managers" who demonstrate that they are devoid of the planning skills to keep our hospitals open or who evidently have no empathy with the concept of a universal hospital service for all Queenslanders.
Seventhly, cancel all leave and freeze all pay rises for QH administration staff until the remaining bureaucrats get our hospitals working properly.
Eighthly, slash the Premier's Department to one-tenth of its present size. Ten percent of the staff would be more than enough to keep us informed of Beattie's activities. We have a government built around one man's ego and clearly devoid of realistic priorities in managing our health system.
While we are on his floor, cancel all further leave and overseas trips for Beattie and his cronies until they get our hospitals back up to the standard we expect.
Ninthly, urgently review all working conditions and remuneration packages for doctors and allied professionals to ensure Queensland is the market leader in Australia - the "smart" State - one that has a world-class hospital system that is the envy of other States and nations. The success of Western Australia in rescuing its troubled hospital system is well documented.
Tenthly, slash university costs and urgently review entrance requirements to encourage more people to pursue careers in medicine and related professions. Perhaps our Federal representatives, in both Houses of Parliament, could exert more influence on their Coalition colleagues to show some leadership in this area also. Clearly, poaching from other nations is not the way to find doctors for our hospitals.
Unless we begin now, nothing will change. In the interim it may be necessary to look seriously at upskilling and other measures to bridge the gap until more graduates become available.
And perhaps a snap election would let every Labor MP know that our hospitals are not negotiable?
Maryborough Hospital - 2006
LETTER TO EDITOR - 5 January 2006
Dear Editor
Quite clearly nothing has changed. Our Premier and his colleagues have gone on holidays, but their appointees continue the sabotage of our health services undeterred by public opinion.
Prior to the 2004 State Election, Premier Beattie and his then Health Minister Wendy Edmonds wrote to electors in Maryborough and told the boldest of lies. His government would stand by its commitment to the people of Maryborough that "the ICU would remain open, that 24-hour emergency service and operating theatres would remain available at the hospital, that maternity and obstetrics service would remain, and that Maryborough Hospital would have its own manager".
He went on to say these commitments were "not negotiable". Meanwhile Messrs Keating, Leck, Alsopp and others fed the public lies and callous disregard until they were finally challenged by Commissioner Tony Morris and then Justice Geoff Davies and forced to step aside.
After months of inaction, a new manager has been appointed to the Fraser Coast Health Service and her first announcement was that she may "be forced to suspend services" even further. Clearly Beattie and his ministers think Maryborough people are both deaf and blind.
What is left to close down? Why has a major regional facility been stripped of its usefulness and its staff forced to leave town to find work?
Why are Queensland Health bureaucrats still finding excuses to rob regional communities of functioning hospital services? And why has Beattie dried up funding for Maryborough Hospital in particular?
Dear Editor
Quite clearly nothing has changed. Our Premier and his colleagues have gone on holidays, but their appointees continue the sabotage of our health services undeterred by public opinion.
Prior to the 2004 State Election, Premier Beattie and his then Health Minister Wendy Edmonds wrote to electors in Maryborough and told the boldest of lies. His government would stand by its commitment to the people of Maryborough that "the ICU would remain open, that 24-hour emergency service and operating theatres would remain available at the hospital, that maternity and obstetrics service would remain, and that Maryborough Hospital would have its own manager".
He went on to say these commitments were "not negotiable". Meanwhile Messrs Keating, Leck, Alsopp and others fed the public lies and callous disregard until they were finally challenged by Commissioner Tony Morris and then Justice Geoff Davies and forced to step aside.
After months of inaction, a new manager has been appointed to the Fraser Coast Health Service and her first announcement was that she may "be forced to suspend services" even further. Clearly Beattie and his ministers think Maryborough people are both deaf and blind.
What is left to close down? Why has a major regional facility been stripped of its usefulness and its staff forced to leave town to find work?
Why are Queensland Health bureaucrats still finding excuses to rob regional communities of functioning hospital services? And why has Beattie dried up funding for Maryborough Hospital in particular?
Queensland Health Enquiry - 2005
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 8 September 2005
The Editor
The Premier is claiming the health enquiry is back on track. Rubbish!
What we have now is just a poor shadow of what Tony Morris QC was doing. The terms of reference have been cut from four pages to only one.
Justice Davies cannot report on a whole range of things - including why Queensland Health has been presenting misleading waiting list figures to the government, why successive Ministers have done nothing to reverse the cannibalisation of our hospital system by over-zealous bureaucrats and why the degradation of our hospital services has accelerated during Beattie's premiership despite the windfall GST revenue flowing into the state.
Nor can he report on why a rogue doctor already exposed in the USA could be recruited to work in a Queensland hospital, or how a bogus psychologist could infiltrate the system and then avoid possible sexual charges by slipping out of the country under the very noses of department boffins.
Beattie's public image bandaid simply cannot address the real problem here. Unless Queensland Health and the government itself are forced to put patients ahead of ideology, and public service ahead of career enhancement, nothing will change. The systemic problems of dishonesty, bullying, intimidation and denial of responsibility will continue to plague our health system and the cover-ups (and deaths) will continue.
The Editor
The Premier is claiming the health enquiry is back on track. Rubbish!
What we have now is just a poor shadow of what Tony Morris QC was doing. The terms of reference have been cut from four pages to only one.
Justice Davies cannot report on a whole range of things - including why Queensland Health has been presenting misleading waiting list figures to the government, why successive Ministers have done nothing to reverse the cannibalisation of our hospital system by over-zealous bureaucrats and why the degradation of our hospital services has accelerated during Beattie's premiership despite the windfall GST revenue flowing into the state.
Nor can he report on why a rogue doctor already exposed in the USA could be recruited to work in a Queensland hospital, or how a bogus psychologist could infiltrate the system and then avoid possible sexual charges by slipping out of the country under the very noses of department boffins.
Beattie's public image bandaid simply cannot address the real problem here. Unless Queensland Health and the government itself are forced to put patients ahead of ideology, and public service ahead of career enhancement, nothing will change. The systemic problems of dishonesty, bullying, intimidation and denial of responsibility will continue to plague our health system and the cover-ups (and deaths) will continue.
Queensland Justice System - 2005
LETTER TO EDITOR - 3 September 2005
Dear Editor
Whilst magistrates and judges squabble over staff transfers and wrangle over legal definitions, it seems our justice system has failed to deliver a fair outcome yet again.
Why should the maligned egos of two managers outweigh the need to root out chronic problems within our taxpayer funded health system? And why should the cold indifference of hired bureaucrats override the welfare of those who pay their wages? It is quite clear that the empire builders of Queensland Health are completely unwilling to take responsibility for the mess that they have put our hospitals into.
We all owe Tony Morris QC a big thank you for his conduct of the now torpedoed Health Enquiry.
Thank you, Tony, for having the humanity to see the tears in nurse Toni Hoffman’s eyes and for stepping down from the bench to shake her hand. Thank you for asking the searching questions our Premier and his ministers could not (or would not) ask. Thank you for seeking answers to why so many people have had adverse outcomes in the hospitals of a prosperous and modern society like Australia. Thank you for listening to everyday Queenslanders, for understanding their struggles, their suffering, their frustration, and for expressing your genuine concerns for their welfare.
We take our hats off and say thank you for showing empathy when our political leaders are ducking for cover, for seeing through the layers of administrative rubbish which are nobbling our health administration and for continuing to do your job when a few vested interests were working to bring your efforts to nothing.
Shame on a legal system numb to the needs of the citizens it is meant to serve and insensitive to the rights of victims; a system so anxious to protect the reputations of a few and so concerned about the rights of the minority that it fails to bring fairness and justice to the majority.
How can we respect the wig that covers the ears of a judge and prevents him from hearing the suffering of thousands of citizens?
Dear Editor
Whilst magistrates and judges squabble over staff transfers and wrangle over legal definitions, it seems our justice system has failed to deliver a fair outcome yet again.
Why should the maligned egos of two managers outweigh the need to root out chronic problems within our taxpayer funded health system? And why should the cold indifference of hired bureaucrats override the welfare of those who pay their wages? It is quite clear that the empire builders of Queensland Health are completely unwilling to take responsibility for the mess that they have put our hospitals into.
We all owe Tony Morris QC a big thank you for his conduct of the now torpedoed Health Enquiry.
Thank you, Tony, for having the humanity to see the tears in nurse Toni Hoffman’s eyes and for stepping down from the bench to shake her hand. Thank you for asking the searching questions our Premier and his ministers could not (or would not) ask. Thank you for seeking answers to why so many people have had adverse outcomes in the hospitals of a prosperous and modern society like Australia. Thank you for listening to everyday Queenslanders, for understanding their struggles, their suffering, their frustration, and for expressing your genuine concerns for their welfare.
We take our hats off and say thank you for showing empathy when our political leaders are ducking for cover, for seeing through the layers of administrative rubbish which are nobbling our health administration and for continuing to do your job when a few vested interests were working to bring your efforts to nothing.
Shame on a legal system numb to the needs of the citizens it is meant to serve and insensitive to the rights of victims; a system so anxious to protect the reputations of a few and so concerned about the rights of the minority that it fails to bring fairness and justice to the majority.
How can we respect the wig that covers the ears of a judge and prevents him from hearing the suffering of thousands of citizens?
Queensland By-elections 2005
LETTER TO EDITOR - 11 August 2005
Dear Editor
Like the smiling clowns at our annual shows, whose incessantly oscillating faces rarely deliver anything of value, Premier Pete's Show goes on. Except it is all happening in the main pavilion.
Peter Beattie is now trying to convince the voters of Redcliffe and Chatsworth that next week's State by-elections will somehow be a litmus test for the proposed Federal government changes to Industrial Relations legislation.
Think again. The two ill-timed by-elections, brought about because two of his State colleagues have had enough and want to walk away, have nothing to do with Federal issues, but are directly about the Premier’s failure to deliver in Queensland.
Firstly, despite all the hype from the former Treasurer, Terry Mackenroth, about the recent State budget and its record surplus, Beattie has failed miserably to deliver even the basic services we expect as Queenslanders in the key areas of health, emergency services, roads and other essential infrastructure.
Spending another $20million tinkering at the edges of Queensland Health, and wasting more money on full-page ads to tell us about it (FCC 6/8/05), is not going to cut waiting lists at hospitals or restore public confidence.
With urgently needed beds closed all over Queensland and petty bureaucrats manipulating statistics or trying to stop enquiries, nothing will solve the problem other than a complete overhaul of the health system.
Secondly, the whitewashed Hollis expenses enquiry clearly demonstrated Beattie's unwillingness to demand transparency and accountability from his team. His constant excuses for the poor performance of his parliamentary colleagues, and his unwillingness to elevate junior colleagues to challenging ministries in his recent reshuffle, are all indicative of a bloated and lacklustre government urgently in need of the surgeon’s knife.
Perhaps the voters of Brisbane will agree that Beattie is just a sideshow clown after all and will help to pare back his unhealthy majority?
Dear Editor
Like the smiling clowns at our annual shows, whose incessantly oscillating faces rarely deliver anything of value, Premier Pete's Show goes on. Except it is all happening in the main pavilion.
Peter Beattie is now trying to convince the voters of Redcliffe and Chatsworth that next week's State by-elections will somehow be a litmus test for the proposed Federal government changes to Industrial Relations legislation.
Think again. The two ill-timed by-elections, brought about because two of his State colleagues have had enough and want to walk away, have nothing to do with Federal issues, but are directly about the Premier’s failure to deliver in Queensland.
Firstly, despite all the hype from the former Treasurer, Terry Mackenroth, about the recent State budget and its record surplus, Beattie has failed miserably to deliver even the basic services we expect as Queenslanders in the key areas of health, emergency services, roads and other essential infrastructure.
Spending another $20million tinkering at the edges of Queensland Health, and wasting more money on full-page ads to tell us about it (FCC 6/8/05), is not going to cut waiting lists at hospitals or restore public confidence.
With urgently needed beds closed all over Queensland and petty bureaucrats manipulating statistics or trying to stop enquiries, nothing will solve the problem other than a complete overhaul of the health system.
Secondly, the whitewashed Hollis expenses enquiry clearly demonstrated Beattie's unwillingness to demand transparency and accountability from his team. His constant excuses for the poor performance of his parliamentary colleagues, and his unwillingness to elevate junior colleagues to challenging ministries in his recent reshuffle, are all indicative of a bloated and lacklustre government urgently in need of the surgeon’s knife.
Perhaps the voters of Brisbane will agree that Beattie is just a sideshow clown after all and will help to pare back his unhealthy majority?
Queensland Health - Doctors 2005
LETTER TO EDITOR - 28 April 2005
Dear Editor
Why do Labor Party stalwards keep burying their heads in the sand? E & A Taylor in their Letter to the Editor (FCC 28/04/05) completely missed the point of my earlier comments (FCC 22/04/05).
The simple facts are that the vast majority of doctors serving in the Queensland Health system are indeed foreign-trained and many of these do come from Third-World countries which can ill afford to have their staff poached by an affluent Western country like Australia.
Secondly, whilst we acknowledge and welcome the services of capable practitioners from whatever part of the world, the overwhelming evidence is that State-operated health services in Queensland are being run down by the present Beattie administration and, despite the most sincere intentions of local staff, our hospitals are simply failing to deliver the health care expected by our community.
The piffle from Labor Party faithful about people criticising nursing staff is simply a red herring to divert attention from the crisis facing our hospital system and the inability of this Government to properly address the issues.
Dear Editor
Why do Labor Party stalwards keep burying their heads in the sand? E & A Taylor in their Letter to the Editor (FCC 28/04/05) completely missed the point of my earlier comments (FCC 22/04/05).
The simple facts are that the vast majority of doctors serving in the Queensland Health system are indeed foreign-trained and many of these do come from Third-World countries which can ill afford to have their staff poached by an affluent Western country like Australia.
Secondly, whilst we acknowledge and welcome the services of capable practitioners from whatever part of the world, the overwhelming evidence is that State-operated health services in Queensland are being run down by the present Beattie administration and, despite the most sincere intentions of local staff, our hospitals are simply failing to deliver the health care expected by our community.
The piffle from Labor Party faithful about people criticising nursing staff is simply a red herring to divert attention from the crisis facing our hospital system and the inability of this Government to properly address the issues.
Queensland Health - Hospital Crisis 2005
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - 19 April 2005
Dear Editor
I commend Ernie Paussa for his editorial (19/04/05) regarding the crisis in our local Health Service.
Perhaps it is time to say "enough" to the professional administrators running hospitals as if they were their own private enterprises? It seems like Queensland Health operates a cloning machine, churning out boffins who think no one should have an opinion about health care other than themselves; who seem more concerned about their little pile of statistics and keeping the lid on information than about the needs and concerns of the sick, the pregnant or the injured.
If anyone needs a "reality check" it is Mr Allsop and his colleagues in Queensland Health. Why do these people continue to defend the indefensible? Our health services have deteriorated to such an extent that we poach doctors from Third World countries to provide basic hospital services.
The public dismay is not about the nationality of medical practitioners. It is about why Queensland hospitals apparently have become the refuge for bogus doctors who have already faced disciplinary action for malpractice and negligence overseas. It is about why more and more space in our hospitals is being devoted to housing administrators and record-keepers like Mr Allsop while beds are being closed and facilities removed. It is about why a growing economy like Queensland cannot afford to provide medical services at least as good as anywhere else in the world.
These people condemn anyone who dares speak out, be they experienced nurses or the families of patients. Perhaps some of their generous salaries should be diverted to more needier causes until they learn to be accountable to the community they serve?
Dear Editor
I commend Ernie Paussa for his editorial (19/04/05) regarding the crisis in our local Health Service.
Perhaps it is time to say "enough" to the professional administrators running hospitals as if they were their own private enterprises? It seems like Queensland Health operates a cloning machine, churning out boffins who think no one should have an opinion about health care other than themselves; who seem more concerned about their little pile of statistics and keeping the lid on information than about the needs and concerns of the sick, the pregnant or the injured.
If anyone needs a "reality check" it is Mr Allsop and his colleagues in Queensland Health. Why do these people continue to defend the indefensible? Our health services have deteriorated to such an extent that we poach doctors from Third World countries to provide basic hospital services.
The public dismay is not about the nationality of medical practitioners. It is about why Queensland hospitals apparently have become the refuge for bogus doctors who have already faced disciplinary action for malpractice and negligence overseas. It is about why more and more space in our hospitals is being devoted to housing administrators and record-keepers like Mr Allsop while beds are being closed and facilities removed. It is about why a growing economy like Queensland cannot afford to provide medical services at least as good as anywhere else in the world.
These people condemn anyone who dares speak out, be they experienced nurses or the families of patients. Perhaps some of their generous salaries should be diverted to more needier causes until they learn to be accountable to the community they serve?
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Conservative Politics in Queensland 2005
LETTER TO EDITOR - 4 March 2005
Dear Editor
Being the Editor of a daily newspaper must be a challenging occupation, and at times it must be hard to come up with something to write about. However, Thursday's editorial (FCC 3/3/05) was a disaster. Instead of the usual lucid, well-informed comment it was more like a cut and paste from local Liberal Party minutes.
The reality is, we have a handful of serial under-achievers representing a Party which could only win five out of the 47 seats it contested at the 2004 poll trying to tell The Nationals to stay away from seats they think belong to them.
Instead of bickering about regional seats like Maryborough, which they have no foreseeable hope of winning, perhaps they should come up with a plan to win more seats in their own urban heartland. One seat out of forty, Moggill, plus three on the Gold Coast and one on the Sunshine Coast, is a pretty shabby result from a Party anxious to return to the Treasury benches in Queensland.
Full credit to Laurence Springborg for his attempts to unify conservative political forces in Queensland. Blind Freddy knows that the majority of conservative voters want a united voice, and yet the Liberal Party executive refuses to give their members a vote on the proposal.
Until the disunity ceases, nothing will change. We will continue to watch Labor abandoning regional Queensland, dismantling local hospitals and under-funding essential community services. We will hear more of Beattie's excuses for dishonest and unaccountable administration and watch as his government continues to squander the legacy of growth and prosperity left by previous conservative governments.
Dear Editor
Being the Editor of a daily newspaper must be a challenging occupation, and at times it must be hard to come up with something to write about. However, Thursday's editorial (FCC 3/3/05) was a disaster. Instead of the usual lucid, well-informed comment it was more like a cut and paste from local Liberal Party minutes.
The reality is, we have a handful of serial under-achievers representing a Party which could only win five out of the 47 seats it contested at the 2004 poll trying to tell The Nationals to stay away from seats they think belong to them.
Instead of bickering about regional seats like Maryborough, which they have no foreseeable hope of winning, perhaps they should come up with a plan to win more seats in their own urban heartland. One seat out of forty, Moggill, plus three on the Gold Coast and one on the Sunshine Coast, is a pretty shabby result from a Party anxious to return to the Treasury benches in Queensland.
Full credit to Laurence Springborg for his attempts to unify conservative political forces in Queensland. Blind Freddy knows that the majority of conservative voters want a united voice, and yet the Liberal Party executive refuses to give their members a vote on the proposal.
Until the disunity ceases, nothing will change. We will continue to watch Labor abandoning regional Queensland, dismantling local hospitals and under-funding essential community services. We will hear more of Beattie's excuses for dishonest and unaccountable administration and watch as his government continues to squander the legacy of growth and prosperity left by previous conservative governments.
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As published by the Fraser Coast Chronicle on 17 November 2007.
