‘Let us help’: Palaszczuk likens Wellcamp to post-war migrant camp

The Queensland government has signalled that the newly opened Wellcamp quarantine facility may increasingly function as temporary housing for migrants fleeing conflict zones.

During question time on Thursday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk implored the federal government to increase its intake of Ukrainian refugees.

The quarantine facility at Wellcamp, near Toowoomba, known as the Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre.

Ms Palaszczuk offered the 500-bed Wellcamp facility – built for the pandemic – to house those escaping the crisis.

“We have a facility that has beds available now,” she said.

“I say to Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison, on humanitarian grounds, just as they supported the Afghan refugees, let us help the Ukrainian refugees.”

The facility, which opened last month and is located outside of Toowoomba, has functioned as a quarantine centre for unvaccinated international travellers, mariners and those who cannot arrange appropriate isolation accommodation.

The premier said she personally understood the struggles of those escaping war-torn Europe, as her grandparents had fled Poland and subsequently stayed in Queensland’s Wacol migrant camp.

The Wacol migrant camp in Brisbane.Credit: National Archives

“When I see the photos of people fleeing from Ukraine to Poland, it makes me think about my grandparents fleeing the Nazis,” she said.

The suggestion of a new purpose for Wellcamp came after reports that an unvaccinated Ukrainian family fleeing the crisis was required to quarantine at the facility, having not applied for an exemption.

Ms Palaszczuk said the family members were not on refugee visas and had since applied for an exemption.

Under Queensland’s current rules, unvaccinated international travellers must quarantine on arrival for 14 days at a government-nominated facility unless they are exempt.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (centre) inspects the site for the quarantine facility.Credit: Matt Dennien

Ukraine has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe, with only 35 per cent of the population having received two doses of an approved coronavirus vaccine.

Wellcamp is set to expand to 1000 beds by April, while a second 500-bed quarantine facility located in Pinkenba near Brisbane Airport is also expected to open next month.

The premier did not indicate the number of Ukrainian refugees the state was willing to house in the facility, though it is understood that it has operated below capacity since its opening in February.

With quarantine requirements having relaxed for vaccinated travellers entering Queensland, some had questioned the taxpayer value of building and operating the two facilities.

Ms Palaszczuk’s comments have highlighted the potential for Queensland’s quarantine network to serve an additional purpose – to provide accommodation for those fleeing crises.