Union misleads about health contracts

Published Friday, 31 May, 2013 at 01:53 PM

Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg says the use of contract labour in the Queensland Health system has significantly reduced and union bosses who say otherwise are being deliberately misleading.

Mr Springborg has released contract details which reject false claims by Together Union representative Alex Scott, who accused Queensland Health managers of lying and hiding behind an increasing number of contract employees.

“Unlike Labor, this Government has confidence in our local employees,” Mr Springborg said.

“Compared to February 2012, Queensland Health’s reliance on contract medical staff was 23 per cent less in February this year.

“That’s a big drop in the use of locums and a corresponding increase in local efficiency.

“Numbers of contract or agency nurses decreased 59 per cent and in administration, HR, IT and finance staff, the drop was 12 per cent.”

Mr Springborg said the change away from contract employment was part of the Newman Government strategy to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary cost.

“Even before Mr Scott opened his mouth, I knew these reductions were in place because of the strong feedback I’d received from every hospital and health service,” he said.

“Mr Scott is just another would-be Labor politician hoping to please the ALP and to avoid all but a passing association with the truth.

“He has misrepresented the facts on contract employment and accused departmental officers of lying about the number of people working in their buildings.

“If these false claims are not a deliberate misrepresentation, they are surely a demonstration of the vast gulf that lies between Mr Scott and the reality of public service life in Queensland today.”

[ENDS] 31 May 2013

Contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230