Coronavirus figures: No new cases in Qld

The Premier says she would consider easing border restrictions at the end of June, with the possibility of a reopening in July, as the state records no new cases. But it could come too late according to bookies, who have slashed the odds on an LNP election win in October.

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk says her Government will at the end of the month look at whether it can reopen the borders in July as she described NSW’s latest coronavirus figures as “very encouraging”.

The Premier today said the Government would consider easing border restrictions as the state enters stage three of the roadmap to recovery at the end of June as she again conceded that businesses were “doing it tough”.

A July reopening may still come too late for the Premier and her government, however, with

bookies betting on the border closure to bite at the ballot box.

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Quizzed about the Queensland Government’s latest moves in the High Court to stop a challenge to reopen the borders, Ms Palaszczuk said the case was still at the “initial pleadings”.

“And as I said previously, the health of Queenslanders is my number one priority,” she said.

“And with some community transmission happening in other states, Queenslanders tell me they do not want a second wave and I do not want a second wave.”

Ms Palaszczuk said it was very encouraging that NSW was beginning to record zero new cases of coronavirus, but pointed out that there was still some community transmission in Victoria.

“I have made it absolutely clear that we will be looking at that at the end of the month as we enter stage three,” she said.

“We are seeing a fantastic health response here in Queensland.

“We are in stage two. In stage two, it does not talk about interstate travel.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she understood the National Cabinet would look at the latest coronavirus results following the mass rallies over the weekend when it meets at the end of the week.

“Of course, where we can ease further restrictions, we will do so,” she said.

“I think the end of the month gives us a really good signal, a really good point in time, about how much further we can ease restrictions.

“I understand that businesses are doing it tough. We know our tourism operators are doing it tough.”

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles confirmed earlier today that there were zero new cases overnight, keeping the state’s tally at 1062.

Three cases are currently active.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said more than 5000 people were tested yesterday.

“I hope that we continue that,” she said.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington urged the Premier to show common sense, insisting that businesses had been closed and jobs lost due to the border closures.

“Queensland has done an excellent job in smashing the curve,” she said.

“We now cannot let the Premier smash our economy.

“Listen to the business owners who are hurting. By the borders remaining closed, (it) is causing financial hardship. And to say anything else is completely ludicrous.”

Leading corporate bookmaker Sportsbet has slashed the odds of the LNP winning the October election from $1.90 to $1.70.

Labor, meanwhile, has drifted in the betting from $1.90 out to $2.20.

One confident punter had wagered $15,000 on the LNP to win the election, Sportsbet’s Rich Hunmerston said.

“The LNP also hold 85% of turnover to win in October,” he said.

“The Halloween election day is holding no fears for punters. They have smashed the LNP in betting and closed the door on Labor.”

One Nation is steady in the election betting at $67, with any other party at long odds of $101.