Qld’s overseas arrivals block not based on latest modelling data

Modelling that shows Queensland could safely reopen its international borders when 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated has been dismissed by the government – despite it previously using that advice to keep domestic borders closed.

Modelling that reveals Queensland could safely reopen its international borders at the 80 per cent vaccination milestone has been dismissed by the government – despite it previously using the same advice to keep domestic borders closed.

Doherty Institute modelling released on Friday revealed it would be safe for international travellers to arrive in Queensland once 80 per cent of the state was fully vaccinated.

The state government – which has previously relied on Doherty Institute modelling to keep its domestic borders closed – has dismissed the findings and refused to budge on its plan to open up inter­national travel at 90 per cent.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Queensland could not rely on it ­because it “is not specific to ­individual states”.

“It is very different in NSW and Victoria with such high cases and such high vaccination rates compared to where we are, that it is important to look at those individual states and their circumstances,” Ms D’Ath said.

Yvette D'Ath speaks to the media at a press conference in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jono Searle

“We’re very comfortable with the plan that we’ve got and we’re sticking with that plan.”

For several weeks across September and October the government defended its refusal to set a date and open borders to NSW and Victoria – insisting it must wait for ­Doherty Institute modelling.

Now, similar modelling from the same institute reveals state health systems could cope with overseas arrivals isolating for seven days – or not at all.

Despite refusing to bring forward international travel, Ms D’Ath said she would “look at” the shorter quarantine ­requirement once the vaccination rate reached 80 per cent.

She acknowledged that Queenslanders “want us to open up quicker” but said it was up to them to be jabbed.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud criticised Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for being “asleep at the wheel” when it came to the pace of Queensland’s vaccine rollout.

“The states that have done the least on vaccination are paying the price; we haven’t got Covid here but it will come when we get a case, it’ll sweep right across Queensland,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News.

Families walk out of the arrivals hall at Sydney's International Airport on November 1, 2021, as Australia's international border reopened almost 600 days after a pandemic closure began. Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP

“The Premier has been asleep at the wheel, and her big idea to put jabs in arms was around Bunnings, and herself and her chief health officer ­destroyed the confidence of the vaccine some months ago when they demonised AstraZeneca – and in fact (they) themselves were (among) the last public ­officials to get the jab.”

He called on the premiers of states that remain locked out from the rest of the country to “trust one another”.

“Queenslanders have shun­ned the jabs and are now realising that we’re in catch-up mode,” he said.

Queensland reported one community case of Covid-19 on Saturday with a Goondiwindi woman testing positive while in home quarantine.

She was not in the community while infectious.

A Cairns woman has also tested positive after arriving in Darwin. Queensland Health said the woman was not infectious while in Queensland.

The person travelled from Cairns to the Northern Territory on October 29 and did not become infectious until ­November 3.

There are 79.06 per cent of Queenslanders with a first dose while 66.33 per cent are fully vaccinated.