Coronavirus QLD: Premier’s border decision the one we’ve been craving

After finally delivering the border decision we’ve all been craving, the Premier took the gloves off to engage in some good old-fashioned Canberra-bashing in a move straight out of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen and Peter Beattie playbook, writes Peter Gleeson.

FINALLY, after weeks of teasing, the Palaszczuk Government has delivered the decision we’ve all been craving by opening the borders – albeit with Victorians barred.

Politically, it was the only possible decision for Labor’s re-election prospects on October 31. To keep the borders closed entirely would have been disappointing, even incredulous.

But more importantly, it has given hope to those dependent upon the tourism industry.

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Anything other than common sense prevailing today would have shattered hundreds of thousands of workers who derive their income from cafes, restaurants, taxis, theme parks, accommodation providers and tourism services.

The decision opens Queensland’s borders to every state except the hapless Victoria, which went the hardest of any jurisdiction, yet is now in a world of pain after a second wave grips its people.

People now have clarity and certainty, the lifeblood of any business.

From July 10, people in the southern states will be able to take a Queensland holiday without the possibility of it being cancelled.

Today’s decision also gave premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – riding high in the personal popularity stakes for her handling of Covid-19 – the opportunity to engage in the time-honoured Queensland political tradition of good old-fashioned Canberra-bashing.

Ms Palaszczuk took the gloves off and accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of playing favourites by attacking Queensland over its hardline border stance, when other states were engaging in similar policy.

It was straight out of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen and Peter Beattie playbook. When under the gun, blame Canberra. Queenslanders love nothing better than their leaders sticking it to Canberra.

Of course the reality is that Queensland, with its huge reliance on tourism, was the state with the most to lose by having its borders closed.

The fact that the state was losing $60 million a week in tourism revenue because of the border

closures was testament to its economic impact. Queenslanders were fast running out of patience.

Labor did the right thing today by the compromise position of opening the borders to everybody except Victoria.

But it was Labor’s only decision – politically and for the economic and mental health wellbeing of its people.

It is now up to Queensland to embrace the decision and get on with the job of rebuilding an

economy that is well and truly on its knees.