Fate of quarantine hub unclear as state, feds trade barbs

The Premier claims the Federal Government has not confirmed it would open a tender process to allow an increased number of flights to land at the proposed quarantine facility in Toowoomba.

The fate of Queensland’s controversial quarantine hub remains in a stalemate as the Federal and State Government trade barbs over who is responsible for progressing the proposal.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pinned the project’s delay on claims the Federal Government has not yet confirmed it would open a tender process to allow an increased number of flights to land at the proposed Toowoomba facility as international passenger caps threaten the project’s viability.

However, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has provided Ms Palaszczuk with confirmation it would consult with airlines and work to ensure flights could land in Toowoomba if the State Government’s regional quarantine hub proves cost effective.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

That confirmation was welcomed by Ms Palaszczuk in a letter sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison in March.

“I appreciate that your department has now confirmed the Federal Government‘s willingness to progress to market testing to assess airline interest in flying into the Wellcamp Airport and to provide appropriate Federal Government officials to enable the facility to function,” she wrote.

Ms Palaszczuk also told Mr Morrison it was “critical” the State received a funding commitment before approaching the airline industry, “as this is fundamental to the economic viability and ongoing sustainability of such a venture”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said additional capacity added to international airline routes must be done so through a Commonwealth-led tender process

“It’s very disappointing that the Prime Minister and his office are again seeking to play politics at the expense of the safety of Queenslanders,” he said.

“I encourage the Prime Minister to come to Queensland and ask people if they think regional quarantine is a worthwhile initiative.”

The Courier-Mail last week revealed Queensland’s proposal sent to the Commonwealth was just 15 pages long, with nine of those filled with pictures, maps and diagrams and no clue as to how much it would cost or who would run it.

Ms Palaszczuk described the claim as “just ridiculous”, but did not provide further details of the state’s submission, citing “commercial in confidence” restrictions.