Wellcamp quarantine hub: Groom MP Garth Hamilton slams Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for ‘forcing’ facility on Toowoomba
‘The Premier has absolutely gone rogue. She has gone out on her own rather than consult with the people of Toowoomba and has decided to force this facility on us, it’s very disappointing.’
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AFTER declaring the Wellcamp quarantine hub should be considered “dead and buried” just months ago, Groom MP Garth Hamilton said he was disappointed the Queensland Premier decided to “force” the quarantine hub on the people of Toowoomba.
Yesterday Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a deal had been made between the State Government and Wagner Corporation to build a 1000-bed quarantine hub at Wellcamp Airport.
Mr Hamilton said the Federal Government had already rejected the proposed hub as it didn’t meet the requirement of being within a proximity to a tertiary hospital.
“I think all of Toowoomba were surprised by the announcement, no-one has been consulted on this,” he said.
“The Premier has absolutely gone rogue. She has gone out on her own rather than consult with the people of Toowoomba and has decided to force this facility on us, it’s very disappointing.”
Mr Hamilton said the announcement of the hub was an indication the Premier intended to keep Queensland in lockdown “for a long time”.
“We already have the Pinkenba facility, and it’s agreed among the states that once we hit 80 per cent vaccination the need for domestic quarantining will drop off,” he said.
“It’s very difficult to see how this fits in with the national plan.”
Prime Minster Scott Morrison said the State Government had “been at liberty” to build the facility for months and the proposal did not meet national guidelines.
“The Queensland Government was always in a position to go ahead with the facility if that’s what they wish to do,” Mr Morrison said.
“They could have done that months ago … good for them.”
Mr Hamilton said he was never opposed to a regional quarantine facility, but the lack of communication was galling.
“I refuse to accept a facility be built in my community without the Premier consulting our community and addressing our concerns,” he said.
“For seven months I’ve been waiting for the Premier to answer our letters requesting details on this plan and she has refused to comply.
“She didn’t speak to the mayor, to state MPs, no-one has been consulted or spoken to prior to this.
“This is a premier without a plan to keep Toowoomba safe and there’s no doubt this will impact our hospitals, our ambulance service and our community, and it’s reasonable that we be included in the discussions.”
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Originally published as Wellcamp quarantine hub: Groom MP Garth Hamilton slams Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for ‘forcing’ facility on Toowoomba
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