Opposition, former LNP premier raise questions over top doc hiring
The Labor Opposition called on Premier David Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie to explain why recruitment for the key chief health officer role was restarted after an external merit-selected candidate was dropped.
The comments, and flagged corruption watchdog referral, come after new revelations the LNP had been aware of past Greens signage at Dr Krispin Hajkowicz's home and a current 'Save Victoria Park' sign opposing the flagship 2032 Games stadium the government had previously promised not to build.
While senior government ministers for a second day largely refused to answer questions about the recruitment process, former LNP premier-turned Libertarian Party figure Campbell Newman has criticised his former colleagues if such signage was a factor.
A government spokesperson late on Thursday seemed to suggest Hajkowicz's selection was not supported because he had backed out of an earlier appointment to replace now-Governor Jeannette Young in the role.
Why it matters
Hajkowicz was set to be announced as the formal replacement for Dr John Gerrard – who left at the end of his term in December – after the search by recruitment agency HardyGroup, but job ads have since re-emerged and the government has refused to explain why.
The firm first announced it had partnered with the department to recruit for the role in May, with applications closing about one month later. The recruitment campaign was launched again late last week.
Hajkowicz, a senior infectious diseases specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, was previously appointed as chief health officer under the former Labor government to replace Young in 2021, but ultimately decided not to take up the role for personal reasons.
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