Beattie to quit if can't fix health

[BAIT_MAN]

Report from the Sunday Mail 05/02/2006


"Premier Peter Beattie has threatened to quit politics within months if he is unable to turn around Queensland's health crisis.

The Sunday Mail newspaper has reported Mr Beattie, who has led Labor for the past decade in the state, would hand over the reins to his deputy Anna Bligh if he is unable to show any gains in fixing the problem by October.

The revelation follows a poll that showed Mr Beattie's personal approval rating had dropped to an all-time low of 33 per cent in the wake of the damaging health crisis.

The Labor government, in power since 1998, had fallen behind the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis for the first time.

Mr Beattie, who has been in strife since allegations of malpractice by a foreign-trained surgeon surfaced at Bundaberg Hospital last year, last week offloaded his treasury and sport portfolios to focus on solving the health crisis.

"I am fighting for my political life," he told the Sunday Mail.

"For me it is do-or-die time."

On Friday he admitted he had "seven or eight months" to solve the problem and regain his reputation, with an election due by May next year.

He confirmed he had told Labor MPs at a retreat on the Sunshine Coast he would relinquish his leadership to Ms Bligh if he was unable to solve the crisis.

"I have to take personal responsibility for this," he said.

Resigning by October would give Ms Bligh, who was promoted to Treasurer last week, time to establish her credentials before the election.

But Mr Beattie will not go without a fight, with a full-page advertisement published on Saturday outlining his steps to fix the problem.

On Friday, he announced massive pay increases for senior doctors to address the ongoing skills shortage in the state.

Meanwhile, reports indicate Maryborough hospital's emergency department was on the brink of closure because of doctor shortages.

Caboolture has already been forced to limit its emergency ward operational hours due to shortages."

[snakecatcher]

err what has this got to do with fishing?

[BAIT_MAN]

err what has this got to do with fishing?

This is a news forum and anything to do with poltics and dont forget that this is the goverment that whats to allow cruise ships on to the gold coast.

[stevedemon]

Hi Shane
Do not beleive what is said, as this is only a ploy, in which to takeway the sights of everyone that the Health System is in a state, that will take years to fix.
The Labour Party has not only made a morkery of the Health System, as the Government has known 8 Months before the end of the Doctor's contract's have come to an end. But as usual they have left every thing to the last minute.
Premier Peter Beattie and his Labour Party have not only Destroyed the Health System, they have also Sold over 45% of Public Housing commission in Qld, an this money is suppose to go back into replacing more house's for the Public housing, but as usual the money has gone with no explaination as to where it has gone.
So now we have Public Housing and the Health System that has been set back 50 years and Mr Peter Beattie thinks he will fix this in 7 -8 Months when even his own health Minister would not back his statement.
This is what they call running from the fight, Elections are in October 2007 Mr beattie will be gone by Xmas, dont think so. If he does then it is only to cover his rear end from a sinking ship. As there is to much going on with in the Party, they are very disgruntled within.


Cheer
Steve