Vaccinated nurse Maddie Newton told by Queensland Health to hotel quarantine for two weeks after dad killed in crash

A fully-vaccinated Melbourne nurse whose father was killed and brother seriously injured in a crash on Friday has been told by Queensland Health she must do hotel quarantine for two weeks before she can be with her family.

Queensland Health has told a fully vaccinated nurse stranded in Melbourne lockdown that she must do hotel quarantine for two weeks before she can be with her family to grieve the death of her father.

Maddie Newton’s father Walter was killed in a crash north of Mackay yesterday and her brother is recovering in hospital from the smash.

The 26-year-old is grappling with the process of applying for a travel exemption so she can be with her family and support her brother.

Maddie Newton with her father Walter Newton, who was killed in a car crash on the Bruce Highway on Friday. Picture: Supplied

She said she has been “extremely frustrated” with the process and implored state governments not to “make it harder than it needs to be”.

“I applied for an exemption yesterday and have heard nothing. Every hotline or person I have contacted have not been able to help,” Miss Newton said on Saturday morning.

“The border only closed at 1am, it should not be this hard. I am a nurse, I’m fully vaccinated and I’m careful.

“I hope they do (give me an exemption soon), but I have no idea given the current climate.”

She had a strongly worded message for Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Victorian leader Daniel Andrews.

“People applying for an exemption typically are doing so in a matter of urgency, please tend to them that way so people can be with their families in a time of need.

Walter Newton Junior, who was injured in the crash, with his sister Maddie. Picture: Supplied

“Our family has been through more trauma in the past 10 years than most do in a lifetime, don’t make it harder than it needs to be.”

Miss Newton heard back from the Queensland government on Saturday afternoon, but has only been approved for hotel quarantine in Cairns, Brisbane or the Gold Coast at her own expense.

“I need to be with my family now, not in two weeks,” she said.

“I’m devastated, I think it’s a very careless act on behalf of the Queensland government.”

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said they follow a process which allows exemptions to public health directions.

“Exemptions are applied in a way that is sensible and sensitive, while balancing our need to protect vulnerable Queenslanders,” the spokeswoman said.

“Exemptions can be difficult decisions. And they are not always granted. But the team must balance care and compassion for individuals with protecting 5.1 million Queenslanders.

“The service is comprised social workers, registered nurses, mental health practitioners and other staff, and all staff are trained in managing exemption requests. Key staff are trained to support complex and emotional interactions.

“Exemption assessments are undertaken on a case by case basis and guided by the relevant public health direction.”

Walter Newton senior (front) raised his children Maddie, Walter Jnr and Alex, following the death of their mother. Picture: Supplied

When contacted yesterday, a Queensland Health spokeswoman would not comment on Ms Newton’s case due to privacy reasons, however said the exemptions team must balance care and compassion while protecting Queenslanders.

“Exemptions can be difficult decisions,” she said.

“And they are not always granted.

“Exemption assessments are undertaken on a case-by-case basis and guided by the relevant public health direction.”

It follows an emotional plight by Queensland man Anthony McCormick, who had been living in Canada, to desperately try enter the state to be by his dying mother’s side.

Tragically, he was unable to make it in time and received the news his mother had passed away while stuck in New South Wales hotel quarantine, following Queensland’s failure to grant him an exemption into the state in time.

Ms Newton, who has now lost both parents after her mother died suddenly 10 years ago, is left with the responsibility of helping her grieving and injured brother following Friday’s fatal crash that claimed 60-year-old Walter senior’s life.

Ms Newton urged all state governments to work together to resolve exemptions quickly.

“People applying for an exemption typically are doing so in a matter of urgency, please tend to them that way so people can be with their families in a time of need,” she said.

“Our family has been through more trauma in the past 10 years than most do in a lifetime, don’t make it harder than it needs to be.”

The Health Minister and Townsville’s MP’s were contacted for comment.