Disgraced former Queensland Labor minister Gordon Nuttall dies aged 71By Kirrin McKechnieTopic:Government and Politics1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:57amGordon Nuttall has died aged 71 years old. (Dave Hunt: AAP)abc.net.au/news/gordon-nuttall-disgraced-minister-dies/105272698Link copiedShareShare articleGordon Nuttall has died aged 71 years old. The disgraced former Queensland Labor minister was jailed for perjury and corruption charges stemming from his time in the Beattie government.In 2023, he was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer.Nuttall rose to prominence after stepping into the role of health minister. (Lyndon Mechielsen: AAP)Nuttall's political careerGordon Nuttall entered state parliament as the member for the south-east Queensland seat of Sandgate in 1992.Nine years later, he took on the industrial relations ministry in the Beattie Labor government.But it was his time as health minister when Nuttall rose to prominence.At the time, Peter Beattie explained why he was the right minister for the job."He demonstrated tenacity, commitment, determination, fairness and ability to get results," Mr Beattie said in 2004.Taking up the key portfolio, Nuttall laughed off suggestions it was a poison chalice, yet it was this post that would spark the unravelling of his political career.Nuttall entered state parliament as the member for the south-east Queensland seat of Sandgate in 1992. (ABC TV News - file image)Nuttall's political downfallIn the midst of the Jayant Patel scandal, Nuttall was caught lying to a parliamentary committee about what he knew about problems at the Bundaberg Base Hospital.From MP to inmatePhoto shows Gordon NuttallFollow former Queensland government minister Gordon Nuttall's rise through the Labor ranks and his fall from grace.He stood down as health minister, and the Crime and Misconduct Commission recommended charges.Those charges did not eventuate, but the damage was done."It is this poison chalice I suppose for me, and now I've paid the ultimate price," Nuttall said in 2005."My career as a minister in this government is finished. It's a really sad day for me."But worse was to come.Queensland parliament passed a motion finding him guilty of contempt, and he was fined $82,000 in 2011. (ABC TV News - file image)Guilty of multiple perjury and corruption chargesThe CMC discovered a secret loan from mining magnate Ken Talbot that was not declared.Again, Nuttall denied any wrongdoing."I am a decent and honest person. I believe I have done nothing wrong. And I believe that when the evidence is laid out for all to see that people will see that. I have nothing to fear," he said.Nuttall was found guilty of multiple perjury and corruption charges relating to payments from business associates.In total, he was sentenced to 14 years' jail.Nutall was followed by press during the court hearings.In a further political humiliation, in 2011, Nuttall was escorted to parliament in a prison van and brought before the house to answer contempt charges.Facing his former colleagues, he again claimed he was the victim."You chose to cast me adrift and join in the feeding frenzy when there was blood in the water. The fault lies in the guidelines. The CMC and the DPP have had their own agenda and embarked on a campaign to make sure that I was demonised, abandoned, cheated and made a fool of," he told the House.Queensland parliament passed a motion finding him guilty of contempt, and he was fined $82,000 for not disclosing corrupt payments on the pecuniary interests register.In 2023, Nuttall was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. (Dave Hunt: AAP Image)Nuttall's final yearsReleased in 2015 after serving six years in prison, he spent his final days at the beachside community of Woodgate, near Bundaberg.In 2023, he reflected on his fall from grace, but was still adamant he had done nothing wrong."I lost my reputation, I lost my home. I lost everything. Everything," he said.Nuttall is survived by his partner, children and grandchildren.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:57am, updated 6m ago6 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 4:25amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesTaylor confirms Liberal leadership showdown with Ley, PM urges unity in caucusLIVEPhoto shows Angus Taylor press conferenceAustralia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Sussan LeyErin Patterson took son on hours-long drive despite feeling sick, murder trial hears — as it happenedTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtChina criticises Australia over joint exercises in South China SeaTopic:Defence and National SecurityPhoto shows A Philippine Navy AW159 helicopter with the the HMAS Sydney in the background. 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