Independent MP and Member for Cook Billy Gordon, who was on Saturday admitted to Cairns Base Hospital with a heart condition, has cautioned the Opposition not to try to take advantage of his absence from State Parliament.

A member of Mr Gordon's staff said he went to hospital on Saturday after experiencing shortness of breath on a flight from Brisbane to Cairns. Tests revealed a small blockage in his heart, however, doctors are not calling it a heart attack.

From his hospital bed, Mr Gordon said: “I trust that, while I am in a medical recovery phase, and will be absent from Parliament this week, the Westminster-democratic convention will prevail and that the Opposition LNP will refrain from moving a vote-of-no-confidence on the Government.

“To provoke such an act would mock Parliamentary convention, and be ridiculed by the Queensland Electorates. Such a callous initiative would also be lacking any empathy and would never get my support,” he said.

Mr Gordon said that after some tests, a surgery procedure was done on Saturday evening and he was soon in the recovery ward.

“I feel much better. There is a big difference in my breathing and heart function, but my arm is a bit sore.

“I am in good spirits and looking forward to soon resuming duties. I should be discharged before the end of the week,” said Gordon.

Mr Gordon is one of three crossbench MPs who hold the balance of power in the Queensland Parliament. He resigned from the Labor Party shortly after entering Parliament last year, having been accused of past domestic violence by a former partner. He was later cleared by police