The Queensland Health boss will step down from his role at the end of this month amid ongoing criticism of proposed changes to whistleblower laws made by the department.
The premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, confirmed on Wednesday that Shaun Drummond, the director general of Queensland Health, had written her a letter confirming his resignation after being in the role for less than a year.
The premier said he had done “an excellent job as the head of the department” and clarified that it was his decision to resign.
“I thank him for his service to Queenslanders. It is a very, very difficult job. And he has served very well in that position,” she told reporters.
Palaszczuk also said she supported whistleblowers being able to come forward with reports.
Earlier this week, the Sunday Mail reported on a submission by Queensland Health to the inquiry into public interest disclosure laws that suggested whistleblowers who provide journalists with “inappropriate” information should be penalised.
After days of negative headlines, Drummond attempted to distance himself from his department’s suggestions in a letter to the Courier-Mail. He said the submission about the laws had not come from him personally and he did not aim to restrict press freedom.
Queensland Health has been plagued with problems, including the DNA lab bungle, ambulance ramping and maternity staff shortfalls. A cabinet re-shuffle by the premier in May – which saw the then attorney general, Shannon Fentiman, take over Health – aimed to address some of these concerns.
Last May, Queensland became the final Australian jurisdiction to introduce “shield laws”. The laws give the media professional privilege from revealing their sources in court, with the exception of proceedings with the state’s corruption watchdog, the crime and corruption commission (CCC).
As attorney general, Fentiman said last year she was committed to extending the laws to the state’s corruption body.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in her new role as health minister, Fentiman backed Drummond and said he had her support.
“I have confidence with the director general and, as I said, so far the department have been responsive to my priorities as a new minister in terms of tackling ambulance ramping and pressures on our hospital system,” she said.
Fentiman clarified she had been clear in the media she did not support penalties for the disclosure of information to journalists.
Guardian Australia has contacted Queensland Health for comment.
