Hate calls take toll on nurses

SIR Joh Bjelke-Petersen was the target of hateful and threatening phone calls in hospital.

Nursing staff caring for Sir Joh revealed they were shocked to receive anonymous and abusive calls for the 94-year-old former premier as he hovered between life and death this week.

South Burnett Community Private Hospital director of nursing Leonie Gavioli told The Sunday Mail Sir Joh's family had not been told because it would cause them more heartache.

She said the abuse had taken a toll on staff.

"We've had people calling and saying, 'I wish he was dead' or, 'He's getting what he deserved' - that sort of stuff," she said.

"Some have rung and said, 'Sir Joh' and started laughing and hung up.

"It's really out of place, regardless of what you think of him. No one deserves that."

Sir Joh was embroiled in many volatile issues during his career.

These included the Fitzgerald inquiry, which revealed corruption in Queensland on a massive scale and saw four of his ministers jailed, his 1991 perjury trial, and the SEQEB strikes in 1985, which followed his government's sacking of 1000 power workers.

Premier Peter Beattie revealed yesterday he had copped considerable flak from Labor Party and union members after announcing Sir Joh would have a state funeral.

"It was not a popular decision," he said.

Mr Beattie said he had a bigger gripe against Sir Joh than most: he had been sued by him, arrested during Springbok protests and opposed everything he stood for politically.

Hospital staff said that as well as the abusive calls, there had been messages of support from across Australia.

"The abusive callers have been the minority compared to the well-wishers," Mrs Gavioli said. "He's touched them enough to feel they can ring up and leave messages of support."

Clinical nurse Joanne Eussen paid tribute to Sir Joh on behalf of the nurses who have cared for him since the hospital opened in 2002.

She said they felt privileged to have been there for him.

"He's an incredible person," she said.

Article from www.thesundaymail.news.com.au