No new cases as Queensland MPs receive shocking threats
Queensland’s Health Minister has confirmed no new Covid-19 cases overnight, as it is revealed MPs have been subject to horrifying threats relating to their vaccination mandate stance.
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Queensland has recorded no new cases of Covid-19, with just four active infections being cared for in the state.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath this morning revealed there were about 2243 people in home quarantine in the state.
She called for more people to come out and get vaccinated this weekend, as the state hits the 84.35 per cent single-dose vaccinated mark, with 73.06 per cent now fully vaccinated.
Speaking from Morayfield, Ms D’Ath said the local community there saw a five per cent increase in vaccination rates in the last week alone.
Ms D’Ath said Queensland would not remove a requirement for interstate travellers to be Covid tested before entering Queensland even when the state hits the 80 per cent fully vaccinated mark in light of outbreaks despite similar vaccination rates “we have seen overseas”.
“We have children who are under 12 and are not yet fully vaccinated - we need to make sure we are protecting that community,” she said.
The Covid update comes as police are monitoring the safety of Queensland’s politicians after many were targeted with despicable threats of violence over the Government’s vaccination mandate.
The personal protection officers of Queensland police – who are responsible for security services for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and other dignitaries – are understood to be widening their protection amid a recent increase in threats against politicians.
An email threatening fatal violence and a “civil war” over the Queensland Government’s policy of banning unvaccinated people from restaurants, cafes and sporting arenas was sent to several state and federal MPs and the media on Friday.
It has since been confirmed the email is being fully investigated by police and other security agencies, and Queensland Police Service said any persons found guilty of making threats over email could be subject to a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment.
A statement from the QPS in relation to threats against members of parliament said all issues are routinely assessed and investigated.
“The outcomes of these investigations are considered in ongoing risk assessments to address identified security concerns,” the statement said.
“There is no known specific terrorist threat from any group to the Queensland community. The national security threat remains as probable.”
The statement also said all Queenslanders have the right to feel safe, and that law enforcement and security agencies “work around the clock to keep Australians safe from all forms of violent extremism, whatever its motivation or genesis.”
Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga on Friday revealed she had contacted police over the threats.
“I received an email from a local Keppel resident, which was sent to numerous other MPs with threats of terrorism, extremism and violence,” she wrote online.
“I understand local doctors have been sent death threats and other threatening letters – the police have been contacted.
“I unequivocally condemn these threats of violence, terrorism and extremism.
“This is not peaceful protest. All our leaders – including the Prime Minister – should stand together in sending a message that this behaviour has no place in our country.”
Ms Lauga also revealed police were investigating a break-in of her car “while I was at home bathing my daughter” on the same day.
QPS said: “At this stage there is no known link between the two events, but we are considering all possibilities.”
Unusually, several Queensland police officers were in attendance at Saturday’s Covid-19 press conference in Logan, where a slew of senior government ministers gathered to promote vaccination.
Education Minister Grace Grace said an increasing number of threats against MPs were cause for concern and should be condemned.
“Have your views but we’re hearing a lot of members of parliament are getting these kind of emails or phone calls into our electorate offices but they are totally unacceptable,” she said.
“Everyone deserves to be safe at work, including politicians.”
Thousands of people on Saturday marched through Brisbane’s CBD calling for an end to the “Queensland dictatorship” while uttering disgusting slurs against Ms Palaszczuk.
Protest organisers called out a man walking around with a noose and told him to throw it away as “this wasn’t the place for that”.
Ms Grace said people were able to exercise their rights and declared protests were “a good part of democracy”, but called for threats against public figures to stop.
“It’s not helping anybody; it’s unwelcome and reckless,” she said.
A Queensland Parliament petition has accused the government of introducing a “segregation and restrictions policy” over vaccinations which chief petitioner Matt Lachlan argues “is contrary to Australian values and individual freedom and should be rejected”.
The petition has reached almost 50,000 signatures – a significant number for a parliamentary petition.
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