MP flies south for surgery

ROBERT Schwarten was flown to a Brisbane hospital by air ambulance on Tuesday after suffering a serious attack of ulcerative colitis.

The retiring Member for Rockhampton faces surgery this weekend and was disappointed to miss today's opening of the city's new southside pool.

"This is an historic occasion as kids will be swimming in this pool for the next 50 years,"' he said yesterday.

"It's a project which started with Bill Dodson getting into me at a Sports Expo about four years ago.

"I am, however, delighted that the Premier (Anna Bligh) is able to be there along with Bill Byrne (Labor's candidate for Rockhampton) to do the honours.

The illness had nothing to do with the ram raid on his house last week.

"It takes a bit more than some gutless wonder who is not game to knock on the door to put me in hospital," he said

He was diagnosed with the disease more than two years ago.

"I am thankful for all the support I have received from family and friends but I ask that my privacy be respected as I have only one agenda for the moment, to get well," he said.

The South Rockhampton pool complex is undergoing a phased $17million redevelopment.