Overview

• Gale, a former NSW deputy chief health officer, will start in December as CHO and Deputy Director-General for Population Health.
• Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall will remain in the role until Gale begins.
• Queensland has lacked a permanent CHO since Dr John Gerrard stepped down in December after three years in the post.
• The government rescinded an earlier offer to infectious-disease specialist Dr Krispin Hajkowicz, citing concerns about suitability for a forward-facing role.
• The opposition has referred Premier David Crisafulli and Health Minister Tim Nicholls to the CCC over alleged interference, and Hajkowicz is seeking legal advice.