QLD Premier says ‘I will not be intimidated’ by border criticism
An emotional Annastacia Palaszczuk has hit back at “intimidating” criticism over her handling of border restrictions and says she is motivated by support from Queenslanders.
QLD News
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Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared she will not be “intimidated” by the ongoing criticism over Queensland’s handling of its borders.
Speaking this morning, the Premier said she had been “overwhelmed” by the response she had received from Queenslanders as she insisted she would not be changing course “any time soon”.
As she rejected criticism from interstate, Ms Palaszczuk stood firm that her government had the best interests of the community and public at heart.
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“It is relentless, it is intimidating but I will not be intimidated,” she said.
“I think Queensland has done extremely well by relying on the expert health advice of (Chief Health Officer) Dr (Jeannette) Young.
“And let me make it very clear: I will not be changing that course any time soon because you have seen the great results that have been occurring in Queensland.”
Ms Palaszczuk’s comments come ahead of today’s National Cabinet meeting, where the nation’s leaders are expected to discuss a national approach to borders.
The Premier said she had been “overwhelmed” with the emails and hand written cards of support that had been coming into her office.
“That’s what keeps me going,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I get up every day and I rely on the best health advice to look after this state.
“I’ve just been up in Cairns.
“I spent two and half days up there, going around meeting people, talking to people. And I’m just absolutely overwhelmed by the number of people coming up and just saying thank you for keeping us safe.”
Ms Palaszczuk said her family was also “very upset” with the criticism she had been receiving over the border stance.
“But I just tell them to hang in there,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said if the country focused its efforts on getting community transmission under control in Victoria and NSW, then there would come a time when every state could reopen the borders.
“Victoria and NSW need to get everything under control there and then the whole country can open up,” she said.