Long road ahead for Doomadgee

RACQ/QLD Health initiative, for whom?

North Queensland MP Robbie Katter called for an inquiry into Queensland Health‘s dealings with Aboriginal woman suffering from acute rheumatic fever in the Gulf.

Paradigm Shift interviews local member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, for his response to the allegations made by Alec Doomadgee about failure of duty of care by Queensland Health. Robbie Katter says that Alec Doomadgee is someone that he listens to because of his connection with local community. Robbie critised those in government who speak ‘from afar’ and who do not follow up their words ‘with deeds‘ especially when he is ‘in the trenches‘ everyday.

Q. Why wasn’t Adele Sandi transported to a hospital where she could receive proper medical treatment for her cardiac condition?
Ans. I think there needs to be an inquiry

The Adele Effect – Institutional Racism in Qld Health by 4PR – Voice of the People

Paradigm Shift spoke with Robbie Katter, the member for Traeger, about the death of Adele Sandi from Doomadgee in his electorate in Far North Queensland. These and other questions were put to Mr Katter .


  • RACQ Queensland Health joint venture providing help from above?
  1. Doomadgee is in your electorate of Traeger (Far North Queensland) … how many Aboriginal people live in that town?
    About 2,000
  2. What medical services are available in the township of Doomadgee?
    Doomadgee Hospital or medical centre
  3. What can you tell us about the death of Adele Sandi from Doomadgee?
  4. Do you know what medical condition Adele Sandi suffered from?
    Heart disease
  5. Is rheumatic fever prevalent among indigenous people in the gulf ?
    I don’t know
  6. Why wasn’t Adele Sandi transported to a hospital where she could receive proper medical treatment for her cardiac condition?
    I think there needs to be an inquiry
  7. Did you speak to the Doomadgee family about arranging transport for Adele?
    I spoke to Alec Doomadgee on Saturday when she passed away
  8. Who is responsible for making decisions regarding transport of seriously ill patients from Doomadgee?
    The Chief Medical Officer or the DON (Director of nursing)

Listen to Robbie Katter’s full response to these and broader failure by government in regional and remote areas.

Ian Curr
11 June 2020