Queensland has appointed Dr. Marianne Gale as its new Chief Health Officer after a lengthy and somewhat controversial recruitment process that began following Dr. John Gerrard's resignation in December 2024.

Her appointment was finalized after an international search, with the role offering a salary of up to $431,000 annually, reflecting its significance.

Dr. Gale will also serve as Deputy Director-General of Population Health starting in December 2025, with Dr. Catherine McDougall acting as interim in the meantime.

The recruitment process faced delays, including rescinding previous offers to other candidates like Dr. Krispin Hajkowicz due to concerns over stability and fit, which prolonged the selection.

She brings a strong focus on communicable diseases and health equity, backed by extensive experience treating malnutrition and infectious diseases among vulnerable populations.

Her career includes work with Médecins Sans Frontières, WHO, and roles across Africa, South America, and the Pacific, along with her medical beginnings at Townsville Hospital.

During her tenure as Deputy Chief Health Officer in NSW, she was prominent in COVID-19 briefings and emphasized health equity and chronic disease prevention.

Her appointment is viewed as a strategic move to bolster Queensland's public health leadership amid ongoing health challenges and future threats.

The process to find a suitable candidate began in November 2024, with the government expressing concerns about previous candidates' stability, leading to multiple rescinded offers.

A separate recruitment process will be conducted to fill the role of Chief First Nations Health Officer.