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Live blog: Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath provides update on COVID situation

PARLIAMENT BLOG: A new Queensland Travel Declaration will be permanently introduced for all travellers entering the state.  It comes as the Premier urges residents to reconsider travel to Greater Sydney amid fears of an outbreak.

Venues put on alert as NSW Health investigates Sydney COVID case

A new Queensland Travel Declaration will be permanently introduced for all travellers entering the state as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urges residents to reconsider travelling to Greater Sydney amid fears of a Covid-19 outbreak.

From 1am on June 19 anybody entering Queensland will be required to complete a new Queensland Travel declaration - an online form designed to make contact tracing “so much easier”, she said.

The Premier revealed restrictions on travel to Greater Melbourne would also remain for another seven days.

It comes as Queensland administered 14,054 vaccines in the past 24 hours.

The state recorded six new cases, all in hotel quarantine.

Health Minister Yvette D'ath is expected to reveal whether Queensland would  introduce any restrictions following a case at Bondi in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

The NSW Government has a list of identified exposure sites, and Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said anyone who had been to the locations should follow advice. 

“We will be closely monitoring the situation in NSW over coming days,” she said.

“It’s important that anyone who has been to these venues in Sydney follow the advice of NSW Health, and not travel.

"If you have been to any of these sites and are already in Queensland, you must immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine.

Updates

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Mr Crisafulli has concluded his speech, ending with a dig at the Treasurer.
"Two days ago the Treasurer delivered this budget and proclaimed it was a typical Labor budget. Mr Speaker, I agree with him," he concluded.

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In conclusion, Mr Crisafulli has asked Queenslanders to think of the budget.
"When an ambulance doesn’t arrive in Redcliffe because of a failure to address hospital resourcing… think of this budget," he said.
"When you are stuck in traffic heading to the capital from the Gold or Sunshine Coast because of cuts and delays to road projects …think of this budget.
"When your car is stolen in Townsville because of a failure to provide police with the tools they need…. think of this budget.
"When a lack of housing options in Aspley means your children can’t compete and buy their first home because of the government’s failure to keep up with infrastructure…. think of this budget."

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In talking about the need for integrity Mr Crisafulli has quoted Gough Whitlam.

"It's time," he said, drawing groans from the government.
"Does the third term Premier value transparency in the same way she said she did when she sat in this chair well over half a decade ago?"

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In his second announcement, first revealed by The Courier-Mail today, Mr Crisafulli has pledged to establish a Parliamentary Budget Office if elected.
"Costs vary between jurisdictions in the range of $1.5m to $3.5M … this is a small investment in a large shift in the way we respect our democratic process," he said.
"The Parliamentary Budget Office will produce an intergenerational report that sets out a long-term strategy for Queensland.

"It’s a vision … and a road to get there.
"It will also put an end to arguments over budget and election costings by offering a policy costing function."

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The Opposition Leader said the lack of transparency around the budget process "is a great disservice to Queenslanders".
"We have even seen the Premier hiding her hiring practices for directors-general on private email," he said.

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Mr Crisafulli said the third-term government had become "smug".

"This is a government that needs all the help that it can get when it comes to new ideas and vision," he said.
"They are closed to new ways of thinking and supporting innovation."

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"When this Government closed the Productivity Commission it sent a message to Queenslanders – the days of openness and transparency are over."

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Integrity will be a hallmark of his government, Mr Crisafulli said as he attacked the government's abolition of the Productivity Commission.
"This independent and free-thinking Commission produced landmark reports into electricity prices, service delivery in remote indigenous communities and improving regulation," he said.

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Mr Crisafulli is outlining the positives he sees in the budget, including funding for schools, child safety officers and a bridge in his electorate.

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A "golden era" is awaiting Queensland's tourism, events and hospitality businesses, the Opposition Leader said.

"In a post COVID era, our clean and green reputation of the coast and the rainforest, the dreamtime stories of Western Queensland, sets us apart from our competitors across the globe.

"Now is the time to provide the confidence for them to invest.

"When asked about a contingency for another outbreak, the Treasurer’s response was 'Well heaven forbid there is'.
"Business isn’t looking to the sky, they’re looking for certainty. "

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/coronavirus/live-blog-queensland-health-minister-yvette-dath-provides-update-on-covid-situation/live-coverage/906fb011a55968c8e3861e918661853b