Woman barred from Qld suffers tragic miscarriage on friend’s floor

A woman who was due to move to Queensland from Victoria last week says she has been left homeless after being locked out of the state and tragically suffered a miscarriage on her friend’s lounge room floor.

A Victorian woman has suffered a tragic miscarriage on her friend’s lounge room floor after being left homeless and without possessions following Queensland’s shock border closure.

Tanya from Victoria, who was due to move to the Sunshine Coast last Friday with her partner and child, was left stranded when the family were blocked from entering the state while quarantine hotels were at capacity.

Police and the ADF at the Queensland border on the Gold Coast, which has been closed to non-essential people entering the state. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The family is without a car and possessions, which were already on the way to Queensland when the State Government slammed the border shut.

Tragically, a pregnant Tanya suffered a miscarriage on Saturday, one day after they were due to leave for Queensland.

“I just can’t fathom the situation we’re facing … it’s uncomfortable to go through this on your friend’s lounge room floor,” she said.

“We just want to have our own roof over our heads.”

Tanya has applied for an exemption to enter Queensland, but said authorities “haven’t told me anything”.

“We’re effectively homeless – I don’t want to take my child to the St Kilda crisis shelter,” she said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was peppered with questions about the NRL charter and border closure during Question Time at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Tuesday were peppered with questions by the Opposition about why the government “prioritised a sporting entourage over everyday Queenslanders” after an NRL charter flight arrived with the wives and families of players.

Ms Palaszczuk said the government wanted to see “as many Queenslanders get home as safely as possible” and said the NRL flight was separate to usual arrivals and not included under the cap.

Ms D’Ath said the Queensland Health exemptions unit was working with people wanting to enter the state.

Member for Buderim Brent Mickelberg said Tanya’s heartbreaking story was all too common.

“Rather than provide one rule for all, the State Government have locked out Queenslanders out of their homes,” he said.

“If there is room for the families of well-paid professional sports stars, then there is room for Queensland families.”