With news Yvette D’Ath will be moved out of the Health Minister role, Gladstone mothers fear how a new minister will handle the ongoing maternity crisis in the regional town.
On Tuesday evening it was revealed current Health Minister Yvette D’Ath would be moved from the portfolio, and was understood to be returning to her previous role as Attorney-General.
It is understood current A-G Shannon Fentiman will be sworn in as the new Health Minister.
The reshuffle comes almost two weeks to the day after a community meeting was held in Gladstone to mark 300 days since the town’s hospital maternity ward went offline.
It is estimated hundreds of expectant mums have had to travel to both Rockhampton and Bundaberg to give birth due to the bypass.
While it is yet to be seen how the issue will be handled by a new minister, Gladstone mums are fearful of just that.
Jemma Manwaring, from the Save Gladstone Maternity Ward group, said some mums were even “more scared” than they were before.
“What does the handover look like and how quickly will the new minister get a handle on the situation and fix it,” she said.
“Mums are disappointed D’Ath never made it to Gladstone to listen to them and are hopeful the new minister will come and listen.”
Ms Manwaring said just last week she contacted Ms D’Ath’s office to make sure plans for her to visit the region were still in place.
“I was told the plans were still being finalised but now she’s no longer minister,” she said.
“As soon as I know who it (the new minister) is I will be making contact in hope of inviting them up to organise an opportunity to listen to mums because it still hasn’t happened.
“Aside from the rally we had outside our MP’s office, no one from the Labor government has really actively listened to the mums.”
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The Observer reached out to Gladstone MP and Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Minister Glenn Butcher for his view on the reshuffle.
Mr Butcher has previously stated he will resign if the Gladstone Hospital maternity unit stays on bypass indefinitely.
The following questions were put to Mr Butcher.
– Do you think or are you confident that having someone new in the Health portfolio will help the fix of Gladstone’s maternity crisis?
– How soon will you meet with the newly appointed Health minister to discuss the issues with the Gladstone Maternity ward?
– What do you think the new Health minister should prioritise to fix the issue?
– Do you think a new Health minister was needed?
In his response, Mr Butcher said he would continue to advocate for the Gladstone maternity services.
“I will be advocating for Gladstone maternity services regardless of who the Health Minister is,” he said.
Queensland’s health portfolio wasn’t the only government cabinet position caught in the reshuffle carnage.
It was also revealed on Tuesday night that Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch would be moved from their current portfolios and be given “more junior” responsibilities.
It is understood the reshuffle could happen as early as Thursday and that no backbenchers would be promoted into the ministry.