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ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Queensland chief health officer appointment scrapped for second time
The Queensland government says it wasn't "confident" a doctor was suitable to be the state's chief health officer, despite him being offered the position a second time. Dr Krispin Hajkowicz was appointed to the job in 2021 but resigned shortly after, citing "personal reasons". Sources have confirmed to the ABC that he was recently offered the role again following a lengthy recruitment process. It's understood that a corporate head shot was arranged and a media release regarding the appointment was drafted by Queensland Health. The offer was then rescinded. A spokesperson for Queensland Health said a campaign to recruit for the role was undertaken, "however, no appointment was made". "A renewed campaign to recruit a permanent Chief Health Officer was launched on Friday 8 August." The international recruitment campaign advertises the role as earning up to $431,000 per annum. In a statement, a government spokesperson said the job "is a very forward-facing leadership role". "The government is not confident that the stability and longevity Queenslanders expect in this role has yet been met and the recruitment process is ongoing." Dr Hajkowicz declined to comment on questions from the ABC. Queensland has been without a permanent CHO since December, after Dr John Gerrard stepped down after three years. Dr Hajkowicz's wife, Dr Sarah Martin, made a submission to parliament over the Victoria Park Stadium and planning legislation, before his job offer. It related to laws that exempt 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure from major planning rules, to ensure projects aren't held up by potential legal challenges. In her submission, Dr Martin strongly opposed the legislation. "The Crisafulli government's plan to override the rights of the individual Queenslanders to make life easier for politicians and developers is right out of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen playbook. "Exempting this development from public scrutiny and removing the right of Queenslanders to protest via the courts is a very concerning proposition and makes the risk of corruption very likely." She went on to allege that the Bill proposed to remove "the right to protest this development in the courts" and was "out of the fascist playbook". The government said it was not aware of the submission during the recruitment process. Deputy opposition leader Cameron Dick said the government had "questions to answer" over the recruitment.. "I think this whole process stinks," he said. "This is so opaque, lacking in clarity, lacking in transparency, that every Queenslander should be deeply concerned about what the process was. "What has happened, and why has an eminently qualified medical specialist who ticked all the boxes been rubbed out by the LNP for a very important job, particularly as we go through one of the worst flu seasons in recent history?" Mr Dick said the opposition was considering further steps it could take regarding independent investigations into the matter.
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Public Health leaders' appointment in Australia a surprise to staff
Dr Caroline McElnay was Director of Public Health for New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and during it gave regular public health briefings (like this one from 2022), alongside politicians or other health figures. Photo: Pool / NZME The announcement top public health official Dr Caroline McElnay has been poached by Australia has taken colleagues by surprise at the National Public Health Service. The Victorian State Government has appointed her its new Chief Health Officer. McElnay was one of the prominent public faces frequently seen in updates given through the Covid-19 pandemic. The former Director of Public Health for New Zealand, Dr McElnay had started a new role, as Clinical Lead Immunisation at the NPHS in December, on 2 December 2024. Immunisation staff told RNZ they first learned of her impending departure though a public statement by the Victorian State Government. National Public Health Service (NPHS) Director of Prevention Alana Ewe-Snow said the management team was aware of her resignation prior to the announcement in Australia. "Caroline has made an outstanding impact in her time with NPHS," Ewe-Snow said. "We wish her all the very best in her new role, starting in August 2025, as Victoria's Chief Health Officer" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
