Health minister grilled over missing $62 million

A parliamentary estimates hearing scrutinised state Health Minister Geoff Wilson yesterday by about the missing $62 million in staff overpayments.

The independent member for Gladstone Liz Cunningham questioned Mr Wilson on how staff could prove they were paid correctly, when the new payslips lacked the necessary detail.

“It appears to me… they’re being required to meet a reverse onus of proof,” she said.

“But the detail upon which they must base that proof is flawed pay slips that Queensland Health themselves provided.”

Mr Wilson told the hearing the figures were the best information Queensland Health had.

“Indeed publicly, I called upon the staff to dispute the information should they wish to, and to ask questions,” he said.

Queensland Health acting director-general Tony O’Connell told the hearing the $62 million in this year’s budget was to be treated as a loan to staff and if the money was not all recovered, it would be a loss to the budget.

Leave A Comment

News by Email