Latest news with #Hajkowicz
The Age
18 hours ago
- Health
- The Age
Premier doubles down on suggestion LNP figures viewed top doc pick unfit
The news Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has defended his government's abandoning of the merit-selected appointment of a new chief health officer and has declared he was trying to respect the doctor's privacy by not giving further detail. But Crisafulli doubled-down on the veiled suggestion the decision to scrap the imminent ascension of Dr Krispin Hajkowicz was because he was deemed unfit by senior LNP government figures, despite a rigorous external recruitment process. And, in his first public comments on the matter, Crisafulli continued to deny suggestions a Save Victoria Park sign displayed at his house, along with the historical display of a Greens election corflute known to some in the LNP, had also played a role. Why it matters Hajkowicz is seeking legal advice after his appointment as Dr John Gerrard's permanent successor was abruptly scuttled by the government, despite his selection through the merit-based process run by recruitment agency HardyGroup. It was not the first time Hajkowicz had been selected as CHO – the former Labor government appointed him to the role in 2021, but he decided not to take up the role just days from his official start date, citing personal reasons. After two days of refusing to answer questions, or even acknowledge the decision, a government spokesperson late on Thursday said Hajkowicz's 2021 withdrawal was the reason this appointment had been vetoed. By whom is still unclear.
Sydney Morning Herald
18 hours ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Premier doubles down on suggestion LNP figures viewed top doc pick unfit
The news Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has defended his government's abandoning of the merit-selected appointment of a new chief health officer and has declared he was trying to respect the doctor's privacy by not giving further detail. But Crisafulli doubled-down on the veiled suggestion the decision to scrap the imminent ascension of Dr Krispin Hajkowicz was because he was deemed unfit by senior LNP government figures, despite a rigorous external recruitment process. And, in his first public comments on the matter, Crisafulli continued to deny suggestions a Save Victoria Park sign displayed at his house, along with the historical display of a Greens election corflute known to some in the LNP, had also played a role. Why it matters Hajkowicz is seeking legal advice after his appointment as Dr John Gerrard's permanent successor was abruptly scuttled by the government, despite his selection through the merit-based process run by recruitment agency HardyGroup. It was not the first time Hajkowicz had been selected as CHO – the former Labor government appointed him to the role in 2021, but he decided not to take up the role just days from his official start date, citing personal reasons. After two days of refusing to answer questions, or even acknowledge the decision, a government spokesperson late on Thursday said Hajkowicz's 2021 withdrawal was the reason this appointment had been vetoed. By whom is still unclear.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Spurned doctor seeks legal advice after Crisafulli government U-turn
Would-be chief health officer Dr Krispin Hajkowicz is considering his legal options after the Crisafulli government's U-turn on appointing him as Queensland's chief medico. Hajkowicz is seeking legal advice after his appointment as Dr John Gerrard's permanent successor was abruptly scuttled by the government, despite his selection through a merit-based process run by recruitment agency HardyGroup. It was not the first time Hajkowicz had been selected as CHO – the former Labor government appointed him to the role in 2021, but he decided not to take up the role just days from his official start date, citing personal reasons. A government spokesperson said that decision in 2021 was the reason his appointment in 2025 had been vetoed. 'On October 5, 2021, Dr Hajkowicz was announced as the State's Chief Health Officer. He resigned from the role three weeks later,' the spokesperson said. Loading '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.' But there had been suggestions a Save Victoria Park sign displayed at his house, along with historical Greens corflutes at the address, had also played a role – suggestions the LNP government has denied. On Friday, deputy Labor opposition leader Cameron Dick – a former health minister – said the government was putting politics ahead of public health.
The Age
2 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Spurned doctor seeks legal advice after Crisafulli government U-turn
Would-be chief health officer Dr Krispin Hajkowicz is considering his legal options after the Crisafulli government's U-turn on appointing him as Queensland's chief medico. Hajkowicz is seeking legal advice after his appointment as Dr John Gerrard's permanent successor was abruptly scuttled by the government, despite his selection through a merit-based process run by recruitment agency HardyGroup. It was not the first time Hajkowicz had been selected as CHO – the former Labor government appointed him to the role in 2021, but he decided not to take up the role just days from his official start date, citing personal reasons. A government spokesperson said that decision in 2021 was the reason his appointment in 2025 had been vetoed. 'On October 5, 2021, Dr Hajkowicz was announced as the State's Chief Health Officer. He resigned from the role three weeks later,' the spokesperson said. Loading '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.' But there had been suggestions a Save Victoria Park sign displayed at his house, along with historical Greens corflutes at the address, had also played a role – suggestions the LNP government has denied. On Friday, deputy Labor opposition leader Cameron Dick – a former health minister – said the government was putting politics ahead of public health.
The Age
3 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Opposition, former LNP premier raise questions over top doc hiring
The news 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.
