{"id":16697,"date":"2014-04-05T21:15:30","date_gmt":"2014-04-05T10:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=16697"},"modified":"2019-04-13T23:58:09","modified_gmt":"2019-04-13T13:58:09","slug":"a-state-of-protest-the-weekly-wrap-from-qldpol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/a-state-of-protest-the-weekly-wrap-from-qldpol\/","title":{"rendered":"A State of protest: @Qldaah weekly wrap from #qldpol"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a>Doctors’ dispute rages:<\/span> <\/strong>Campbell Newman’s Queensland Government intensified its assault on public health care doctors this week\u00a0by seeking a federal court injunction to prevent what it labeled as “misinformation” being disseminated by unions.<\/p>\n

In a week in which the nation discussed freedom of speech in relation to modifications to the Racial Discrimination Act<\/em>, many tweets from outside Queensland asked, “Could this really be happening?”<\/p>\n

Sadly, to commentators in #qldpol<\/a> it was a familiar strategy by the Newman Government to silence debate.<\/p>\n

The matter will be heard in the Federal Court on May 25, but the deadline for Queensland doctors to sign new individual contracts is April 30. As no temporary injunction or urgent case lodgement was made to the Federal Court, it is perhaps a sign of a much wider strategy from the government.<\/p>\n

\"ABC<\/a>

ABC News Qld: Qld Health has sought an injunction in the Federal court to prevent doctors unions talking to their members.<\/p><\/div>\n

As the deadline draws closer, a Victorian based recruitment company,\u00a0First Medical,<\/em> confirmed to The Courier Mail<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>that it was working with Queensland Health to supply resumes for replacement medicos.<\/p>\n

Also, citing poor decisions by the Newman Government in health, Brisbane based\u00a0<\/strong>maxillofacial surgeon @<\/strong>DrAnthonyLynham<\/a> announced his decision to stand for Labor pre-selection in the seat of Stafford ahead of the 2015 state election<\/a>. If successful, he would face-off against the LNP’s Assistant Health Minister Dr Chris Davis who has also been highly critical of his own government’s treatment of doctors over the recent contracts dispute.<\/p>\n

Dr Lynham has also been a long-term campaigner for reduced trading hours for pubs and clubs to curb injuries associated with alcohol fueled violence. The Labor Party announced this year that it would support earlier closing times while the LNP remains opposed to what it sees as a penalty on the hotel industry.<\/p>\n

\"@elisejeanette<\/a>

Police filming union protesters at community cabinet meeting on the Gold Coast. (ABC News Qld @elisejeanette<\/a> 22\/03\/14)<\/p><\/div>\n

Intimidation of members:<\/strong><\/span> On Tuesday, Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk addressed the parliament on a matter of privilege and cited\u00a0 <\/span>section 37 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n

From Hansard:<\/a><\/p>\n

“Standing order 266 provides examples of contempt, one of which is intimidating a member acting in the discharge of the member\u2019s duty,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Outside the recent Community Cabinet meeting at the Gold Coast, members of the opposition were openly and blatantly filmed by officers of the Queensland Police Service when listening to the concerns of local residents about a proposed quarry development and meeting with teachers. The filming of the shadow health minister and me meeting with these Queenslanders clearly amounts to intimidation.”<\/p>\n

Community Cabinet meetings are held throughout the state. As protest against the Newman Government has become more common, security around the Premier has increased including the filming of the public.<\/p>\n

Palaszczuk will write a complaint to the Speaker<\/a> for the matter to be referred to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee. A letter will also be sent to the Queensland Police Commissioner, @CoPStewart.<\/a> Commissioner Stewart used Twitter to responded to concerns of the public with a safety and protection message.<\/p>\n

\n

@pauldutton1968<\/a> @maddiet5<\/a> @vincentwight<\/a> No Paul. Just keeping everyone safe. Check the facts on CCTV in each state, & OS cities.<\/p>\n

— Ian Stewart (@CoPStewart) March 31, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n