Opinion: Politics is a tough game, Premier. If it’s too hot in the kitchen, get out
Since the start of the pandemic, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has made an artform of throwing grenades, but she’s not so great when one comes back into her bunker, writes Peter Gleeson. VOTE IN THE POLL
Peter Gleeson
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Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is complaining that she’s being constantly pilloried by critics over her pandemic response, singling out federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Hunt had attacked her relentlessly over vaccinations for kids and she had demanded an apology after he changed tack and asked Pfizer to seek TGA approval to jab children aged 5-12 years.
Ms Palaszczuk probably has a point. She has belled the cat on making sure kids are safe from the virus and every parent would agree it’s necessary.
But the Palaszczuk Government has made an art form of politicising this pandemic, and to turn around and complain that a senior conservative politician such as Mr Hunt is being unfair is a bit rich.
If the Premier wants to understand what being hectored and pilloried is really like, she should ask her exemptions unit why it constantly plays favourite by allowing celebrities into Queensland, but she shuts the door on so-called “normal’’ people.
The lack of empathy and compassion towards those seeking to return to Queensland is appalling.
Maybe she could take a stroll down Griffith Street, Coolangatta, to see the scores of tenancy vacancies because businesses have gone broke as a result of the border closures.
Or even better, take a look at the tourism industry, especially Cairns and the Gold Coast which is on its knees because of a lack of support, both fiscally and with lockdowns and border closures.
Nobody is suggesting that running Queensland is easy, especially with the Delta variant breathing down our neck and Victoria and NSW under siege with escalating numbers and deaths.
But if it’s too hot in the kitchen, get out. Politics is a tough game. The Premier is good at throwing grenades but not so great when one comes back into her bunker.
When the postscript is written on the politicization of the great 21st century pandemic, no decision-maker will escape unscathed – and the Premier is the ring leader.