Analysis: Premier must face up to border debate

On Friday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told of the personal toll of the COVID crisis and sustained attacks over Queensland's borders. Bullying is never OK, but since it’s become a key election issue, she must face up to the debate, writes Jessica Marszalek.

FOR months Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has fronted the media each morning to give the latest COVID update and answer questions on the health and economic response to the crisis.

Some Labor insiders worry she should be leaving the COVID talk to her deputy and Health Minister Steven Miles and getting into an election footing, spending her time selling her plans for the state instead.

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But the health response, border issues and “keeping Queensland safe” has morphed into a key election issue, particularly since there’s no money to spend and few new announcements to sell.

Of course the government wants Queenslanders to consider whether the other mob would have done as good a job, and whether Queensland could look like Victoria under the “wrong” management.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Peter Wallis

If they didn’t think borders was a political issue, they wouldn’t have their ministers constantly reminding voters how the LNP wanted them open.

“Those opposite called for the borders to be opened 64 times,” the Premier herself hurled during the last parliament sitting week – one of 17 times a version of the line was used by her frontbench.

On Friday, the personal toll of the crisis and sustained attacks from federal ministers and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was on display.

“It is relentless, it is intimidating but I will not be intimidated,” an emotional Ms Palaszczuk said.

Now, bullying is never okay, but Australians should be able to debate important issues, and disagree, even vehemently.

If the Premier’s office can pepper her social media with COVID inspo in the run-up to the election, then the Premier can take part in debate around the COVID response, even if what’s being said isn’t politically friendly.