State Health Minister Paul Lucas was forced to go on the defensive during question time in Parliament.

The Opposition is calling on the government to repay the nurses for their support in the lead-up to last year’s election.

Trent Jones reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The ongoing tension between nurses and the State Government reached breaking point in Parliament today.

Health Minister Paul Lucas finally accepted responsibility for the handling of the month long pay dispute.

But he was forced to go on the defensive after being attacked by the opposition.

Paul Lucas, Health Minister: “It is not good enough that people aren’t paid. This is about actually not only of course fixing the issues now, but fixing them for the future.”

The Opposition had a field day questioning the Bligh Government’s handling of nurses pay.

Over 18,000 nurses have had their pay affected under the new payroll system, and there is no guarantee when or if the problem will be resolved.

The Opposition claimed the Government has made a sham of donations from the Nurses Union.

John-Paul Langbroek, Opposition Leader: “Will the premier do the honourable thing and give the money back to nurses, or does the Premier insist Labor deserves the $191,000, telling nurses who can’t afford to put food on the table to eat cake.”

Today however, brought some good news for Labor.

The Government revealing a $60-million dollar solar rebate scheme in order to make Queensland the “solar state” of Australia.

Anna Bligh, Queensland Premier: “We’re not going to give up on these programs. We’re going to keep refining and redesigning them to make sure that they suit householders and people take them up.”

But the government warned buyer’s beware about some products on the market.

Trent Jones, QUT News