Shadow Minister for Health, Bill Yan, says the Gunner Government needs to explain why the Northern Territory needs five doctors available to act in the role of Chief Health Officer.
“In a recent gazette notice, Minister Fyles names Charles Pain, Anthony Carpenter, Danielle Esler and Jacqueline Murdoch to act as the Chief Health Officer – in Dr Hugh Heggie’s absence.
“That means if the Health Minister doesn’t get the advice she wants from Chief Health Officer, Hugh Heggie, she can simply go down the line until she finds someone who will agree with her.
“We have serious concerns about the Gunner Labor Government ‘shopping’ for health advice, particularly given the mixed messaging and confusion we’ve seen from the Chief Minister and Health Minister, the number of amendments being made to CHO directions, and the sensational backflip following Michael Gunner’s post-December 20 travel and quarantine blunder.
“The Health Minister has overseen four Code Yellow critical bed and staff shortages at Royal Darwin Hospital in less than 12 months, a chronic nurse and doctor shortage that is too ‘administratively onerous’ to quantify, remote clinic closures, a $4.3 million procurement failure, and mass elective surgery cancellations.
“Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has extended his holidays to avoid facing the public over his disastrous handling of the post-December 20 travel and quarantine changes. He was due to return to work on Monday, but remains in hiding to avoid scrutiny over his widespread damage to the NT’s tourism and hospitality sector.
“What Territorians need is confidence in the health advice and the quiet appointment of five Acting Chief Health Officers needs an explanation,” said Mr Yan.
ENDS