‘Radio silence’: Family of Premier’s old friend still waiting for contact

The family of a childhood friend of the Premier who suicided after a quarantine ordeal have again reached out after “continued radio silence”.

The family of Brendan Luxton – a childhood friend of Annastacia Palaszczuk who suicided within a day of being released from hotel quarantine after pleas to Queensland Health were ignored – has again reached out to the Premier after “continued radio silence”.

Mr Luxton’s sister Marita Corbett emailed the Premier on Wednesday requesting a meeting.

It follows explosive coverage in The Courier-Mail on the weekend over the hotel quarantine fiasco the family says led to the “totally preventable” tragedy of Mr Luxton, 51, taking his own life.

The family has repeatedly asked to meet personally with the Premier to discuss improvements to a “deeply flawed” exemption unit but these requests have been denied, by bureaucrats.

“Despite everything that’s happened, we still have not so much as received a phone call from the Premier herself,” said Mrs Corbett, who has since been interviewed on Channel 7, 4BC radio and Sky News.

“Let’s at least have some compassion, not continued radio silence.”

A senior staffer in the Premier’s Department called Mrs Corbett on Thursday and advised Ms Palaszczuk could not meet with her as she was awaiting advice from the coroner’s office.

Mrs Corbett said the call was short and sharp and no condolences were offered.

Mrs Corbett, a leading accountant with extensive experience in risk management and governance, said she understood the coronial process but still wanted to talk to the Premier.

Ms Palaszczuk and Mr Luxton were co-captains at Jamboree Heights State School and their families also were close in the 1970s and ’80s.

In her letter to the Premier, Mrs Corbett wrote: “Through the media, we have learned of your public response, thank you.

“In the first instance, I wish to clarify and confirm the following: There is no coronial inquest on foot. The case is with the coroner and a case manager has been assigned, however, there has been no confirmation that the matter will proceed to hearing or inquest.

“Regardless, our wish to speak with you is not in re-visiting Brendan’s death, but to work proactively and productively with you in sharing our thoughts regarding a Covid management strategy for Queensland moving forward.

“I (supported by my husband, John Corbett) bring highly relevant, specialist skills and decades of experience and wish to offer some alternate options that could enhance a strategic vision and solution for the long term and sustainable management of Queensland society in a Covid pandemic that seemingly will be with us still for a number of years.”

Mrs Corbett said she was delighted to receive “a lovely call” from the newly appointed Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Lynne McKinlay earlier on Thursday.

“She expressed her condolences and said she was speaking to a lot of people to get a better understanding of the system, and would like to sit down with us for a couple of hours.

“We are meeting on October 6, but our broader concerns for a sustainable Queensland demand the ear of the Premier.”