Springborg urges unions to speak up

Health Minister and State Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg wants trade unions to help save jobs by demanding that the Labor Party release cabinet documents relating to the $1.25 billion health payroll debacle.
In parliament on Tuesday, Mr Springborg challenged unions to speak up for workers.
“I want their written support for the release of documents from the former Labor cabinet,” he said.
“Without these documents, there is no hope of a legal challenge over the payroll disaster. The chance that some missing funds may be recovered through legal action hangs in the balance.”
Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk had failed to respond to a motion of State Parliament, calling on her to release legal advice, cabinet decisions and minutes that document the mismanagement of the former Labor Government.
“Labor’s health payroll system blew up in workers’ faces, but unions watched it happen and contrived to let Labor off the hook,” Mr Springborg said.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars that could have provided jobs for ordinary union members were vaporised by the Labor Party.”
Mr Springborg said his letters posed a simple test for health unions. “Do they stand up for workers or continue to defend the ALP?” he asked.
“Thanks to Labor lies and the union cover-up, 56 per cent of health payroll operating costs were left unfunded. That’s a $537 million black hole in the day-to-day operating costs of Queensland Health.
“The peak in those unfunded costs – $150.1 million – falls due this year. It is a bill we cannot avoid and the consequence, as unions know all too well, will be counted in jobs.
“In effect, Labor and the unions saddled health with a direct cut equal to more than 2000 jobs.”
In his letters, Mr Springborg challenged unions to implement a Four-Point Action Plan, which could help recover up to $1.25 billion that could provide much needed jobs, services and infrastructure across Queensland.