Christopher Skase’s former lawyer will head a commission of inquiry into Queensland’s Dr Death scandal.

Leading Brisbane barrister Tony Morris, QC, represented the failed business tycoon and former fugitive until he died in Majorca, Spain, in 2001.

Mr Morris, who was also involved with the Heiner inquiry into sexual abuse in Queensland’s juvenile justice system, will investigate the appointment of Indian-trained Dr Jayant Patel, who has been linked to more than 20 deaths at Bundaberg Base Hospital.

“Anthony Morris is much respected in the legal world and there can be no doubt about his integrity and independence,” Premier Peter Beattie told reporters.

Mr Morris in the late 1990s assisted federal Health Minister Tony Abbott with legal advice on constitutional issues surrounding the One Nation party.

And last year, he acted on behalf of Queensland government media adviser Teresa Mullan when Mr Beattie initially decided to sack her after a bottle of wine was brought into a dry Aboriginal community on the government jet.

The commission of inquiry will look at possible improvements to the state’s medical board, the system for complaints about medical staff, and the appointment and supervision of foreign doctors.

Dr Patel, 55, fled Australia at Easter. It was later revealed he falsified his application for registration, hiding the fact he had been found guilty of gross negligence in the United States.

Queensland Health has been accused of failing to adequately check his qualifications.

“I was mortified by what happened at Bundaberg hospital. We have a moral duty to fix this up,” Mr Beattie said.

Former state treasurer Sir Llew Edwards and Margaret Vider, Director of Mission for Brisbane’s Holy Spirit Northside hospital, will join the Morris inquiry.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Queensland Nurses Union welcomed Mr Morris’s appointment and the scope of inquiry.

They both welcomed a review of Queensland Health, also announced yesterday and to be led by Peter Forster, who played a key role in the Fitzgerald inquiry and was responsible for implementing recommendations of the Crime and Misconduct Commission inquiry into child abuse.

“What happened in Bundaberg is a national disgrace, a disgrace not only to the patients of Bundaberg, but to the patients of Queensland and more importantly across this whole country,” AMA national president Bill Glasson said, adding that he would ask Mr Abbott and all states to hold similar inquiries.

Ian Brown, whose law firm Carter Capner represents 100 of Dr Patel’s former patients, said the inquiry was broad enough to provide the answers that people were looking for.

“Given the appointment of Mr Morris as the commissioner, I don’t think there’s any doubt it will be a full and frank inquiry,” Mr Brown said.

But state Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg criticised the length of time it had taken to set up the inquiry, saying it was 35 days since the Nationals first raised the matter of Dr Patel in State Parliament.

“It is months, if not years, since the Beattie Government was first made aware of this situation,” he said.

The inquiry is expected to cost close to $6 million and is due to report by September 30.