Queensland premier shoots down Gladys Berejiklian over border closures

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has slammed her NSW counterpart Gladys Berejiklian over a plea to keep borders open.

Another war of words has erupted between the Queensland and NSW Governments, with Annastacia Palaszczuk claiming it was a “bit rich” for the southern state to start “blaming” Queensland after slamming the border shut again.

The Premier said it wasn’t just Queensland who took the “tough measure” of closing the border.

“The health advice of nearly every other health officer across the country was advising their respective leaders exactly the same thing independently,” she said.

“These are measures because there’s been a cluster outbreak in the northern beaches.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian must accept why borders are closed to her state. Picture: Tertius Pickard / NCA NewsWire

“I think it’s a bit rich for New South Wales to start blaming Queensland and Victoria and whichever other state and territory she wants to blame.

“This has happened in New South Wales.”

Ms Palaszczuk, who wished NSW all the best, said she did not want Queensland’s lifestyle compromised.

She said authorities would be monitoring the situation in NSW, acknowledging the 14-day incubation period.

It comes as patrons will soon be able to check-in at venues with one system that remembers details at every business.

“In Canberra they have an app where you just fill out your registration details once then it gets picked up when you go into different venues so we’re working on that,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“That should be in place sometime in the new year towards the end of January.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has pleaded for borders to her state to remain open. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Meanwhile the Premier has defended her Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe who was forced to return from leave after just one day amid backlash from industry.

“I have said at the last Cabinet meeting to all ministers ... that during this summer period we could have a number of events,” she said.

“So everyone needs to be prepared and everyone needs to be ready to return from leave if and when the situation arises.”

Pressed on whether it was Mr Hinchliffe’s decision to return from leave, the Premier said yes.

“I made it very clear to all ministers if they need to come back, they need to come back,” she said.

“They’re big enough to make their own decisions when they come back.”

Ms Palaszczuk’s strong words come as 13,000 tests were conducted in Queensland overnight and just one new case was recorded – a returned traveller from Canada in quarantine.

She said some of those tested overnight were from the Northern Beaches region.

“Today is the 99th day without a case of community transfer in Queensland,” she said.

NSW appears to be winning the containment battle of COVID-19 after health authorities announced eight new cases overnight with seven infections being added to Sydney’s northern beaches cluster.

Border barriers are reinstalled in Coolangatta and will remain until at least January 8,2021. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Meanwhile, Queensland’s Opposition leader is demanding the State Government retract comments telling Sydneysiders to cancel their tourism bookings.

David Crisafulli, who is also shadow tourism minister, this morning hit out at suggestions that interstate visitors should cancel Queensland trips, claiming the state’s tourism opportunities in early 2021 were “alive and kicking”.

“To suggest that people should pull the pin on heading north is the most absurd statement at the worst possible time,” he said.

“Don’t cancel … don’t pull the pin on January, February and March.

“If we continue seeing the progression that we have seen in Sydney, the opportunities for domestic tourism remain alive and kicking.

“We’ve got a date that the health Minister said they were going to review things.

“Don’t play politics with it and don’t put it into the never-never and certainly don’t tell people to cancel their holidays.”

It comes after Acting Tourism Minister Scott Stewart on Monday urged Sydneysiders to cancel their Queensland holidays quickly so other people could snap up vacancies.

“Swift cancellations … will mean those who have missed out will be able to secure bookings and accommodation providers are less likely to be left out of pocket,” Mr Stewart previously said.

Mr Crisafulli urged travellers not to lose faith in the industry as chaos continued on the Queensland border today.

“If you are considering coming somewhere for a New Year’s spell, if you are considering a place to come and visit family, please don’t lose faith in Queensland” he said.

“To suggest that people should cancel coming to Queensland is premature, it is misguided it is a dagger in the heart of anybody trying to make a quid out of the tourism and hospitality industry.”

Originally published as Queensland premier shoots down Gladys Berejiklian over border closures