Editorial: Populist now but at what cost, Premier?
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says her stance on border closures has been driven by her desire to save lives. But you have to wonder if it’s more about saving her Government at the October state election, writes The Editor.
Opinion
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THE one consistency in Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s handling of the Queensland border has been inconsistency.
Ms Palaszczuk set out a roadmap naming a date in mid-July when the border would likely reopen and then waxed lyrical on national television about how it could be closed until September.
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The Premier insisted that the health advice was that other states would have to go two incubation periods, or 28 days, before the border would be reopened – and then she junked that position and opened Queensland to everywhere other than Victoria.
Ever since, there has been rank inconsistency and confusion about the exemptions regime.
Celebrities have been allowed to isolate at luxury homes rather than hotels, boxing ring builders from Victoria were allowed to travel to Townsville – and special “bubbles” were created for sporting codes.
Meanwhile, people from northern New South Wales who required medical attention along with their families have been bluntly told by the Premier to look for aid elsewhere.
Ms Palaszczuk says her motivation is a desire to save lives.
But you have to wonder now if her objective is also to use this crisis to save her Government at the October 31 state election.
Now, there is no doubt that the hard border closure to NSW suddenly became popular with a majority of Queenslanders once there was a risk that the second wave of cases in Victoria was spreading to other states.
But the Premier’s job is not to be a populist. In this instance, she is duty bound to balance the health and economic advice – and do what is in the best interests of the state.
Given Ms Palaszczuk’s inconsistency (and the political timing), it is no surprise that there is growing criticism interstate of her motives.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has publicly scolded Ms Palaszczuk repeatedly over the past couple of days; which is not her normal way of operating.
She first criticised the Queensland Premier for not being willing to discuss with her the plight of northern New South Wales people in urgent need of health care.
Then Ms Berejiklian doubled down yesterday over Queensland’s return to the position that NSW would have to go 28 days without a community-transmitted case of coronavirus before the border would reopen – saying there was nowhere “on the planet” where Queensland’s stringent protocols could be met, and she doubted if NSW would ever meet the criteria.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also called on states with closed borders to come up with a clear exit strategy – and is now plotting to figure out creative ways to punch some holes in Queensland’s hard border closure, as we report today.
But there are some signs commonsense might eventually prevail.
It was telling, for example, that Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young yesterday said the plan was to stick to the 28-day period “at this point in time”.
In other words, the Premier has flip flopped before on the issue so she may very well do so again.
But let’s face it. That is now unlikely before October 31, given Labor think they are on a political winner on the issue – particularly as Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has a contrary view.
Unfortunately, the pawns in the middle of all this blatant and obvious politicking are everyday Australians. This second border closure was a popular move, but the inconsistency the Premier has demonstrated on these issues could now prove costly at the election.
HEROES HAVE KEPT US SAFE
THE latest COVID cluster in southeast Queensland continues to grow, with several new cases cropping up each day.
Thankfully, fears of a huge outbreak have so far been allayed.
Much of this is thanks to the extraordinary dedication and hard work of the state’s health workers.
Whether they have been on the frontline conducting rapid response testing, or behind the scenes painstakingly piecing together the contacts and movements of known positive cases, it is these heroes who have been the keys to containing this outbreak – and keeping us safe.
For this every Queenslander owes them our gratitude, and the best way to do so is to make sure we individually avoid complacency, follow health directions and do our bit to stop the spread.
Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us