Sir Joh fighting for life, says doctor

BRISBANE - Former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen has been described today by his doctor as an amazing man fighting to stay alive.

New Zealand-born Sir Joh, 94, remains in a critical but stable condition in the South Burnett Community Private Hospital at Kingaroy in south-west Queensland.

Suffering from a condition known as supranuclear palsy making it hard for him to breathe, Sir Joh is also unable to eat or drink.

Dr Isabelle Jonsson said Sir Joh had remained stable through the night and his condition was unchanged.

"He hasn't deteriorated through the night," Dr Jonsson said.

She said although Sir Joh was sedated, he remained aware of what was going on around him.

"He wakes up sometimes when I speak to him -- you can see that he understands what I am saying to him.

"He's a fighter, he's an amazing person.

"I think in many ways, he's trying to stay alive for his family, he really loves them," Dr Jonsson said.

She said Sir Joh's wife Lady Flo, his son John, his three daughters and some of his grandchildren had been to visit last night.

"It was great for him to have them all there last night.

"He was very much aware they were all there with him," Dr Jonsson said.

Sir Joh, who served as premier for 19 years, was taken from the family property Bethany near Kingaroy, 300km northwest of Brisbane, to nearby South Burnett community Private Hospital at about 9am AEST (1100 NZT) on Monday.

Premier Peter Beattie has agreed to Lady Flo's request for a state funeral in Kingaroy.

- AAP