Nobody at the CCC is commenting publicly, but former premier Steven Miles is on the attack.
Former Queensland premier Steven Miles has written to the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission calling on it to investigate the growing controversy of the non-appointment of Dr Krispin Hajkowicz as chief health officer.
As reported by HSD last month, Dr Hajkowicz, an infectious diseases physician at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, was appointed to the role in 2021, but resigned shortly after, allegedly following death threats related to the covid vaccine rollout.
Dr John Gerrard was subsequently appointed but he stepped down in December 2024 after three years in the role.
After a lengthy recruitment process, the ABC reported that Dr Hajkowicz was offered the job again recently – to the point that a corporate photo shoot was arranged and a media release drafted – but that offer was rescinded, with no reason given by Queensland Health.
Opposition leader Mr Miles contacted the CCC last week, according to the Courier Mail, asking it to investigate if the premier, David Crisafulli, or any other minister had intervened in the recruitment process.
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The News Corp outlet claims it has seen the letter from Mr Miles to the CCC’s chair Bruce Barbour, dated 8 September, which alleges Mr Crisafulli, health minister Tim Nicholls and deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie directed QH director-general David Rosengren to rescind Dr Hajkowicz’s appointment.
According to the Courier Mail, Mr Crisafulli “has denied issuing any directions to Dr Rosengren about the CHO position, but said his opinion was that Dr Hajkowicz was not up to the forward-facing role after withdrawing from the position in 2021, weeks before he was due to start”.