Qld border: Panic is expected but still over the top, as moment of truth arrives

Should we be concerned that Queensland’s borders are now open? Hell, yeah, writes Kylie Lang. But to panic as people are doing would seem excessive. Do you wish the border was staying closed? TAKE OUR POLL

SHOULD we be concerned that Queensland’s borders are now open?

Hell, yeah.

But it was always going to a jittery experience, even before the second wave in Victoria and the subsequent, and necessary, ban on people from that state coming to ours.

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To see images of carloads of Mexicans queuing to enter our Sunshine State is unsettling – could travellers be bringing in more than togs and sunscreen? – but to panic as people are doing would seem excessive.

Many, including our Prime Minister Scott Morrison, have argued that domestic borders should not have been closed in the first place.

Mr Morrison this week conceded that Victoria, in light of the outbreak of COVID-19 there, should “isolate itself from the rest of the country”.

Other states, however, were right to get back to business, which in Queensland signals the beginning of a reboot of our stricken tourism and hospitality industry.

For months, hotels, resorts, pubs, clubs, restaurants and other operators in this sphere have been haemorrhaging. Many, far too many, have been killed off altogether.

It’s time to get Queensland moving again.

On top of the statutory declaration motorists must carry that says they have not been in Victoria for 14 days, a new burden of proof has been imposed on all travellers.

From noon today (Friday) they must have documents including accommodation bills, receipts or photos with a date and time stamp to show they have not been in Victoria.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has been blasted in recent months for failing to open Queensland’s borders, is now being abused, by many of the same people I suspect, for letting people in.

She can’t win, or can she?

Yes, what’s happening in Victoria is cause for concern, but we have also been told in no uncertain terms that COVID-19 will not be eradicated, and we will need to live with it.

That test begins today.

Ms Palaszczuk says police will be checking border passes and fines will be issued for false declarations.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler says travellers need to do the right thing, or we risk another lockdown.

Expecting people to voluntarily conform, which includes maintaining social distancing, has been proven not to work.

The hefty fines slapped on pubs which haven’t toed the line is but one indication that external pressure is needed.

This is where the Palaszczuk Government and the Queensland Police Service need to show their mettle.