Editorial: Quarantine hubs monuments to silly political infighting

The fact Queensland has not one but two separate quarantine hubs – one of which is looking at radically downsizing – exposes the massive divide between the state and federal government during the pandemic, writes The Editor.

When history looks back at these pandemic times, one aspect that will exemplify the political divide will be two quarantine facilities the state will be saddled with.

Neither the Pinkenba nor Wellcamp facilities will be built in time for the state borders to come down in December.

Nor would either be needed if Queensland was following the path set by some of the larger states, which are allowing Australian citizens and permanent residents to return from overseas without quarantine now their 80 per cent vaccination milestone has been hit.

Both facilities would have been useful in minimising quarantine leaks and bringing back overseas Australians had they been constructed sooner, but delays and uncertainty around how the virus would develop prevented this.

The Pinkenba quarantine camp was agreed to in a joint federal-state project – at least in part to neutralise political attacks from Labor – while Wellcamp was confirmed by the Palaszczuk government at wasted taxpayer expense shortly after simply to keep those attacks going.

In recent days the federal government has raised the prospect of halving the capacity of Pinkenba to 500 beds, in what will hopefully result in a saving for taxpayers.

Wagner Corporation director Denis Wagner (left) and Minister for Agriculture Mark Furner at a press conference announcing the completion of the first buildings built at the Wellcamp quarantine facility. Picture: Kevin Farmer

When the Palaszczuk government first suggested the idea of the Wellcamp facility in January, shortly after promoting and then burying another proposal in the marginal seat of Flynn, it was to be for Australians returning from overseas. The reasoning then became that it was needed to address the shortage in hotel quarantine, a problem of the state’s own making after it decided to abandon home quarantine for domestic travellers.

A week ago its purpose changed to bring back international students, but the need for this will evaporate when Queensland reaches 90 per cent vaccination.

Now we are told it is for potential future variants or diseases.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended Pinkenba for similar reasons. But his facility will continue to be publicly owned so can be repurposed for future disasters if needed – unlike Wellcamp, which will end up back in the hands of the Wagner family.

In what has become somewhat of a farce, both the federal and state governments are limited in what criticism they can issue of the other’s preferred quarantine facility going ahead because for better or worse they are in it together.

Artist’s impressions of the federal government’s Pinkenba Quarantine camp.

Everyone has made mistakes and had wins. That’s just how it will always be in a crisis.

Queensland’s vaccination rollout continues to lag behind most other states, even those without the outbreaks that spurred on residents of NSW and Victoria.

But we have been one of the few jurisdictions to adhere to mask mandates with the Palaszczuk government under the guidance of the chief health officer giving clear and simple instructions.

That correct advice has seen the state avoid a major lockdown since July.

It is therefore sad we have seen waste and childish political backbiting over quarantine.

When the national cabinet first began politics was put aside for the good of the country, to deal with the threat of Covid.

As the pandemic crept on – and elections came, went and approached again – the politics returned. Only now it is nastier, as it has divided communities and kept families apart.

Let us all hope these political games end the day after the federal election early next year.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

We wish our new Governor, Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young, all the very best.

We have no doubt that she will serve us well.

She has already revealed that as a former chief health officer her passion project over the next five years will be to promote a healthy lifestyle for Queenslanders.

This is a vital message that in the age of screens is worth listening to.

Newly sworn-in Governor of Queensland Dr Jeannette Young arrives to her new residence at Government House. Picture: Getty

Her Excellency Governor Young has big shoes to fill after the fine job done by outgoing governor Paul de Jersey, who – in the wonderful tradition of our democracy – has in a day gone from being our vice-regal representative to a normal Queenslander again.

When his attendant would announce at the end of an evening function that the governor would be retiring, Mr de Jersey used to find humour in adding “for the evening”.

Now that the gong has been sounded for good, we thank him for his service and wish him and Kaye an enjoyable and well earned rest.

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