‘Day of reckoning’ coming for harsh border lockdowns

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been lashed by a Morrison Government minister as “despicable” for her comments about children being vulnerable to Covid-19, as state leaders are warned they can’t maintain lockdowns and border restrictions forever.

A “day of reckoning” is coming for states that keep up harsh border restrictions and lockdowns, a Morrison Government minister said as he described Annastacia Palaszczuk‘s comments about children being vulnerable to Covid-19 as ”despicable”.

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said there was a place for short, sharp lockdowns and appropriate restrictions, but it needed to be part of a holistic approach.

“I don’t want to see outbreaks anywhere. I just think that the day of reckoning is coming for all states and territories that being locked down is not a way that you can maintain forever,” he told Sky News.

“As an Australian, being able to travel interstate to visit friends and family or go on holiday, in the end we are all Australians, this is Australia.

“I think Australians are longing to get back to that point.”

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar says a day of reckoning is coming for harsh lockdowns and border restrictions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

While the national plan for reopening sets out eased restrictions to take place from 70 and 80 per cent vaccination milestones, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last week cast doubt on sticking to the plan

She said protecting children under 12, for whom there is no approved vaccine, was “the most serious issue that our country will face” despite expert advice and Queensland Health’s own website showing that young children are significantly less impacted by Covid.

Mr Sukkar said the Premier’s comments were “despicable”.

“I thought that it was an obviously ill-informed statement and seemingly designed to put fear in parents,” he said.

“Only the Premier can explain what she was trying to achieve by making those statements.”

He said it was clear that Covid had a much more devastating impact on older populations and he was “surprised” she was unaware of this.

On Friday, Labor’s federal deputy leader Richard Marles said he would be “distancing” himself from Ms Palaszczuk’s comments around children and up to 80 people a day dying if the national opened up at 70 per cent vaccination.

Mr Marles would not repeat the comments on Sunday, but said it was important for all states and territories to “support the national plan” for reopening.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles would not repeat comments distancing himself from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s (pictured) comments. Picture: Annette Dew

“The constant out and out attacks we have seen from this government are not the way you have national leadership that gets everyone on the same page,” he said.

“I do think Premiers have a legitimate question to ask about where kids fit into the national plan and even in respect to those that are under 12.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk made it clear on Friday that she does support the national plan and that’s important.”