Premier says Feds have more than enough information to ‘in principle’ decision

The State Government says the Commonwealth has ‘more than sufficient information’ to provide in principle support for the concept of a quarantine facility. But the Federal Government disagrees.

The public back and forth between the State and Federal Governments over the proposed quarantine hub for returning travellers at Wellcamp has continued.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said on Wednesday there was more than sufficient information for the Federal Government to “at least” provide in principle support for the concept.

But the Federal Government indicated it was still seeking more information on how the State Government was planning to operate any potential facility in Toowoomba.

“A number of questions have been asked of the Queensland Government regarding their health workforce, airport regulations, engagement with airlines and how this proposal would impact the Toowoomba community,” a Federal Government spokeswoman said.

“We await their answers.

“We are happy to work with the Queensland Government on assessing their proposal, but we require more information.”

The Deputy Premier said the State Government was consistently sharing information with the Federal Government.

“We’ve supplied extensive plans on this proposal,” he said.

“Once (the Federal Government) provide some information about how they will support it then the Wagners will be in a better position to fill out some of those details.

“But a lot of the detail has been prepared.

“And obviously there’s a national cabinet meeting on Friday. I know the Premier is very keen to have this discussion, as is the Victorian Government who have their own proposal.”

Dr Miles said the bare minimum the State Government needed from the Commonwealth was an approval for repatriation flights to Wellcamp.

The Federal Government spokeswoman said Groom MP Garth Hamilton had highlighted “understandable” community concerns surrounding the quarantine hub plan.

“He notes the community and the region’s health workers appear to be left in the dark with little to no consultation around any proposal by the Queensland Government,” she said.

Originally published as Premier says Feds have more than enough information to ‘in principle’ decision