Incentives worth up to $70,000 luring Queensland Health workers to remote and vacant roles have been axed by the Crisafulli Government.

The scheme was launched on July 1 last year by the Palaszczuk Government to address the critical shortage of doctors and clinicians in regional areas.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls, said the reason behind the decision was a projected overspend of $165.8m from the program.

AMAQ President Dr Nick Yim told Peter Fegan on 4BC Breakfast, ‘it was quite perplexing from my perspective.’

‘We know that in Queensland, we have a workforce shortage, and that’s not just doctors,’ Dr Yim said.

‘And we’re competing, not just in Queensland, but with other states in Australia and also the world.

The other big thing is, those people who do go to regional rural areas, they will also reinvest into that community as well, because they are delivering that healthcare service,’ he said.

‘So you have your doctors, nurses being in that region, and if they are there for three years, four years, maybe sometimes 10 years or 20 years, that is going to be great for those communities.’

Hear more highlights from Peter Fegan below:

Image: Tim Nicholls/Facebook

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