Rocka and parents finally on way home after baby backflip

The family of the infant trapped in Sydney by Queensland health officials are finally on their way home - but will still have to stay in Brisbane for two weeks before heading to their remote property where they wished to isolate after returning from NSW.

The family of the infant trapped in Sydney by Queensland health officials are on their way home - but will still have to stay in Brisbane for two weeks before heading to their remote property where they wished to isolate after returning from NSW.

Baby Rocka, who suffers from a rare illness and his parents Jessie Evans and Billie Blacker, are expected to touch down at Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport at around 3.30pm today courtesy of the aviation charity Angel Flight.

From there they will be allowed to quarantine together at an AirBnB for two weeks before returning to their property at Jendowae, 250km west of Queensland.

Jessie Evans and Billy Blacker with their son Rocka …

just wanted to go home to rural Queensland. Pictures: Justin Lloyd

Before their case made headlines across Australia, Queensland Health had demanded that the family split up to quarantine, with mother and child staying in hospital and the father forced to isolate in a hotel at his own expense for the fortnight.

Angel Flight had previously arranged for the family to fly to an airstrip near their home to isolate for the two weeks required by Queensland health officials.

However, despite never having examined the baby, who had all the appropriate clearances from his Sydney medical team, the Queensland government’s “exemptions team” said it would be safer for the family to quarantine in Brisbane.

“I just want to get home because that’s in the best interest of my baby,” said Jessie, whose son had been undergoing treatment at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick for a rare medical condition.

The family had intended to apply for an exemption to drive back and isolate at their property 250km west of Brisbane.

This had been rejected by callous Queensland border officials, who insisted that they fly to Brisbane and separate to quarantine in a hospital and hotel before saying the family could stay in Brisbane in an Airbnb.

Annastacia Palaszczuk is unapologetic about her border policies. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ms Evans said Queensland Health contacted her Thursday to offer the possibility of the family quarantining together in Brisbane because that would be safest for Rocka.

Ms Evans rejected that, saying it was a case of bureaucrats “just trying to back themselves up” and cover for their original decision to force the family to transit through Brisbane.

“We wouldn’t risk anything with Rocka, we’re not silly and nor are the doctors,” Ms Evans said, adding that the Queensland exemptions team had never examined her son.

She added that there were two doctors at home in Jandowae who were familiar with Rocka and his condition and were able to look after him in a Covid-safe manner.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Thursday that the safety of Queenslanders came first.

“We are trying our absolute hardest to keep Delta away for as long as we possibly can.”

Originally published as Rocka and parents finally on way home after baby backflip