Warning Qld to be ‘left behind’ if costly testing policy isn’t changed

Queensland has been warned to reconsider its controversial PCR test mandate, with the federal Health Minister sending a strongly-worded letter to his state counterpart and a health expert warning of a ‘very confusing time’ at borders.

Queensland should “reconsider” its controversial and costly Covid-19 testing policy for interstate hotspot arrivals Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has urged.

The latest eruption between the state and federal governments comes as Queensland is set to be “left behind” amid Australia’s largest international travel revival of the pandemic due to its rigid border rules.

In a significant intervention, Mr Hunt sent a strongly-worded letter to state counterpart Yvette D’Ath late on Monday evening to “raise concerns” about Queensland’s domestic travel testing policy

This came after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk defended rules that require interstate hotspot arrivals to get a Covid-19 test at least 72 hours before arriving in Queensland.

Queensland is the first state to make all interstate hotspot arrivals coming get the “gold standard” PCR test, while other jurisdictions like South Australia have targeted pre-departure testing depending on virus spread within a local area with everyone else allowed to get a test after arrival.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Hunt said he was “concerned” Queensland had “failed to give sufficient regard” to the value of rapid antigen tests in the context of travel, particularly when Australia’s top panel of doctors had “strongly discouraged” large-scale, non-targeted, asymptomatic testing.

He was also concerned that Queensland was “proposing not to assist … with the provision of these tests” and that the state’s definition of a hot spot had now strayed from the nationally-agreed definition.

Covering the cost of Covid-19 PCR tests via Medicare has already cost the taxpayer about $1.75bn.

The federal health department also confirmed PCR tests solely for domestic travel requirements were not “clinically relevant” and didn’t fall under the rules for Medicare funding, so covering costs of those tests were a matter for the states.

Queensland’s authorities also haven’t made clear if travellers need to show a proper negative test certificate or if the traditional text message will suffice — another factor that could force people to get the test at private labs for about $150 per swab.

Ms Palaszczuk on Monday morning said she would not budge on the testing policy, and that it would remain in place until the state had hit the 90 per cent fully vaccinated milestone — expected in January 2022.

She also indicated Queenslanders going on day trips to New South Wales would also have to get the costly PCR tests.

“We make no apologies for keeping Queenslanders safe, it’s the same that is required in other states, this is not unique to Queensland,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Infectious disease expert Dr Paul Griffin said the “rigorous” enforcement of the testing mandate even at the 80 per cent jab milestone was a “little bit out of keeping” with the message that the state could open safely once the goal was reached.

“I’m not sure how much additional protection that mandate has, and it comes at a significant (financial) cost.

“We are in for a very confusing time when it comes to the borders.”

Meanwhile, Queensland’s harsh border rules will also prevent it from taking advantage of Australia’s largest international travel revival of the pandemic.

From December 1 more than 235,000 skilled workers and international students from around the world will be allowed back into Australia without an exemption, as long as they are fully vaccinated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the major milestone meant the country could take full advantage of the economic recovery as states emerged from the pandemic, with workers “desperately needed” across the country.

Fully vaccinated citizens from South Korea and Japan will also be allowed in, under an expansion of Australia’s travel bubble scheme.

Restaurant and Catering Association chief executive Wes Lambert said Queensland’s border policies mean it will be “potentially left behind for weeks and months” while southern states benefit from an influx of much needed workers and the ensuing economic revival.

He said the hospitality sector across the state was already suffering from a huge workforce shortage, with some businesses already restricting opening hours.

“Queensland continues to issue policies that are leaving it behind many other state and could potentially lead to a much delayed Covid-19 economic recovery,” Mr Lambert said.

Industry groups have made sustained calls for the return of skilled migrants, with recent figures from the Queensland Tourism and Industry Council revealing about 3500 job vacancies including 1200 chefs and cooks.

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the hodge podge of border restrictions across jurisdictions was now “too complicated and incomprehensible”, and called for consistency on the borders.

“It is counter-productive to our collective efforts, and governments’ investment, into marketing campaigns and trade relations--- which is a huge investment,” he said.

Mr Gschwind said clarity “at the very least”, and preferably consistency of border rules across jurisdictions, was needed.