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The New Daily
The New Daily
National
Adrian Black

Qld House Speaker Curtis Pitt’s mental health prompts him to go on leave

Divorce and bowel problems have forced Speaker Curt Pitt to temporarily vacate the Speaker's chair. Photo: AAP

Queensland Speaker of the House Curtis Pitt will temporarily step down to address mental health issues, citing divorce, depression and inflammatory bowel disease.

State Labor MP for Mulgrave, Mr Pitt will take time to focus on his mental health, a few days after he missed a regional parliamentary sitting in Cairns.

“I’m not doing as well emotionally as I’ve made out to anyone,” he announced via Instagram on Saturday afternoon.

“A lengthy divorce after more than two decades of marriage, an underlying medical condition in ulcerative colitis, suffering from depression, and requiring ongoing medication for my back – for which I am scheduled to have surgery soon.”

Beset by worries

Mr Pitt said his parents’ serious health issues and his work  as a five-term MP, regional minister and Speaker had taken a toll.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to take a period of time off for my mental health to get well and to do my job to the best of my abilities,” he wrote.

Mr Pitt said his period of leave would begin on Tuesday after finalising some matters within his office.

“I hope that people can be understanding of my circumstances and of this decision,” he wrote.

-AAP

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