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Over 400 public servants fixing Qld Health payroll debacle

Four hundred additional public servants have been employed to fix the Queensland Health payroll debacle. Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said it is very clear the Queensland Health payroll is still not working and major problems must exist to necessitate the employment of hundreds of Queenslanders.

“The Health Minister ducked and weaved answering my question in parliament,” said Mr McArdle.

“By implication, Minister Wilson agreed the government has had to employ more than 400 full time equivalent public servants to fix the Qld Health payroll system which has so tragically already affected thousands of doctors, nurses and other employees.

“There remains thousands of Queensland Health employees who still do not receive their correct pay, which begs the question ‘how much is it costing Queensland tax payers to fund these 400 additional staff, on top of the $210 million we have been told about?’

“This situation has developed because former Health Minister Paul Lucas didn’t care.“Whilst Minister Lucas’ salary of $235,547 was assured, thousands of Queensland Health staffers were short paid or did not get paid at all by a system he was responsible for.

“This Health Minister, who just last month claimed the payroll system was ‘stabilised and continuing to make a range of significant improvements’ is not being upfront and honest with Queensland Health employees and clearly doesn’t understand the impact this disaster has caused them.

“As long as this government stays in power, they will try to hide the facts and spin their way out of trouble.  The sad thing is too many Queenslanders continue to suffer financially.

“A Campbell Newman led LNP team will be open and accountable,” Mr McArdle said.