Chief Health Officer is a pin-up leader in a pandemic
The LNP say she’s the most powerful woman in the state. Some hail her a hero. Now word is she played a crucial role in convincing 3000 refugee protesters not to march across the Story Bridge. Surely she is a shoo-in for Queenslander of the Year, writes Peter Gleeson.
Opinion
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The state’s top medical officer Dr Jeanette Young is a shoo-in for Queenslander of the Year.
The mail out of George Street is that Dr Young’s precise and unwavering advice and direction on the COVID-19 pandemic has been the major reason that Queensland is now Australia’s pin up state in its coronavirus response.
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Health Minister Steven Miles has made it clear that the Labor Government follows Dr Young’s advice “to the letter’’, often copping criticism for her hard stance on the borders.
In fact, Dr Young’s zero-tolerance approach to lockdowns and border restrictions might not have won her any fans in the tourism industry, but she is being hailed a hero for keeping Queenslanders safe during this most dangerous of times.
The LNP say she’s the most powerful woman in the state. Certainly she’s become the public face of Queensland’s successful COVID-19 fighting strategy.
My mail is that she played a crucial role in convincing 3000 refugee protesters not to march across the Story Bridge at the weekend.
She told protesters on Friday: “Please do not go and protest this weekend. It is critical because it’ll be a tough decision to make on Monday if we’ve seen large breaches of those chief health officer directions then I’ll have to take that into consideration about the advice I give the community. We can’t relax yet.’’
Clear, sage messaging at a time when people are justifiably worried and hesitant after the Victorian second wave.
But if you think these ratbags won’t ignore advice next weekend, think again. They’ve already indicated they’re planning a fresh protest.
As Victorians slowly but surely lose their mind during a second, more stringent coronavirus lockdown, protesters in Brisbane are intent on playing Russian roulette with the lives of other Queenslanders.
As Mr Miles said last week, this is not about selflessly standing up for refugees – it’s downright selfish.
Words don’t adequately describe the madness that goes with a protest in the middle of a global pandemic, that at last count had killed close to 750,000 people.
Even former deputy premier Jackie Trad, a left-wing Labor warrior trying to hang on to a seat that has great sympathy for refugees, believes the protesters have taken things too far.
While empathising with their plight, she told constituents the actions of a few could impact on so many.
“A large scale outbreak (in Queensland) would destroy lives and devastate our community,’’ she said.
“We are in the midst of an economic crisis that will only get worse if we saw a second wave of COVID-19 here in Brisbane. People are losing their jobs and small business is already under so much pressure.’’
It must be terribly frustrating for Labor to see mass protests at a time when the government has reintroduced a border ban on NSW.
One of the reasons Queensland has handled the coronavirus crisis so well is the decentralised nature of our health services.
Under Lawrence Springborg, as Health Minister in the Newman Government, the LNP took the bold and courageous step of returning local hospital boards.
Unlike Victoria, it has worked and their ability to be nimble and make decisions based on what is best for a local community has been a big factor in the successful – to date – Queensland response.
On the Leeside
Newgate Communications partner John Lee has embedded himself into Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office as part of the government’s post-COVID strategy, He’s previously advised the government on trains and stadiums. Not sure what he’s costing the taxpayer, but the government TV ads telling us how we’ve done so well flattening the curve must be costing a bomb.
Ask Christians
The Christian vote will be important on October 31. The Catholics, Anglicans and Muslims have put out a joint statement condemning the voluntary assisted dying law proposal. Some of the minor parties such as One Nation and the Katters don’t want a vote on the issue.
New dog track
Great news for greyhound fans with a new track now earmarked for Chinderah, just south of the border. The former Border Park club – which sold out in 2017 for $15 million to a local university – has bought the 35ha for $2 million.
No word yet on when the new track will be up and running, but with Grafton being redeveloped and the new Yamanto track to be opened in 2022, the panlickers have never looked stronger.
Logan logistics
New Logan Mayor Darren Power has hit the ground running, with several logistics and transport technology companies in talks to base themselves in the city.
Polling politics
Serious concerns from Labor backbenchers that the October 31 election campaign may replicate last year’s disastrous federal polling. The anti-coal message on approving Acland Stage 3 has all the hallmarks of an Adani Mark 2. The belief is that Labor headquarters doesn’t have the same “edge’’ as past campaign teams run by luminaries such as Wayne Swan, Mike Kaiser and Anthony Chisholm.
Whales of laugh
The Quandamooka people on South Stradbroke Island will honour the whale with a monument to be built on a local hill. But there’s some opposition from greenies. At a recent meeting attended by hundreds, one greenie said the monument should not proceed.
“This is terrible … whales will pass by and look up and have traumatic memories,’’ the concerned greenie said.
Whales struggle to see anything above water.
Fast-track test
There’s a company crying out for attention from the Queensland government that claims it can fast-track COVID-19 testing.
Anteo Tech claims to have a 15-minute COVID-19 test. It has been given the run around by different government departments. If this stacks up, the government would be crazy not to give it a crack.
Pressing ahead
Nine boss Hugh Marks needs to put a broom through his newspapers, the Australian Financial Review, the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.
After the debacle of not running a word on their front pages of the three Logan women who breached quarantine protocols, the papers were at it again last week.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos enraged Victorians by not answering questions about the COVID-19 crisis in Parliament. The Herald Sun and The Australian went hard on the front page. Not a word on the Nine front pages. They’re getting as bad as The Guardian and the ABC.
Bet on a winner
Queensland punters cannot bet on the outcome of the state election on UBet, but they can get on with corporate bookies. You can get set with the TAB in every other state except Queensland. Annastacia Palaszczuk has firmed dramatically to win in recent weeks. She’s into $1.75 with UBet.
Hardy silence
New LNP state president Cynthia Hardy isn’t doing media interviews, LNP state director Lincoln Folo says.
“There’s already been more than enough said in recent times about the party,’’ he said, when asked if she’d come on Sky.
