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The new Patel Support and Action Group has called on Premier Anna Bligh to explain who will be paying for Patel’s appeal and legal action.
If the Queensland taxpayers are going to fund the appeal process, then the Premier must explain why, Independent member for Burnett Rob Messenger along with former Patel patients and members of the new Action Steering Committee, George Pauza, Ian Vowles and Doris Hillier said.
“She must explain to former patients under what authority she is allowing this to happen,” they said.
“I would expect that the Premier would fight hard to ensure that Patel should pay for his own legal appeal,” Mr Messenger said.
“The Premier must also explain who is going to be paying for Patel’s family’s living expenses, if they remain in Australia,” he said.
“The Premier must also direct the Attorney General to fight very hard to oppose any bail application,” he said.
Mr Pauza, Mr Vowles and Ms Hillier said this will not change the course of action that the new group of former Patel and Queensland health patients will take. “We are still trying to:
1) Force the government into providing timely medical treatment
2) Fair compensation – possibility of a group civil action
3) Explain why they haven’t taken legal action against Patel’s former colleagues”
Mr Messenger said he is looking forward to reading the appeal documents which he would like the Premier to supply to his office, so that he can send them to former Patel patients.
“It was something that was to be expected, but never the less it’s very disappointing for many of Patel’s patients,” he said.
“There is still a fighting spirit in the group,” he said.
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