Acting CEO Ross Higgins defends Palm Island council amid lockdown debate
Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council have defended their handling of the lockdown laws which are straining the community.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council has defended its handling of the lockdown laws that are straining the community.
Acting CEO Ross Higgins dismissed accusations the council had lacked communication with residents wanting to return to Palm Island.
His response comes after residents Stephanie Boyd and Jamie Prior took swipes at the council while they remain quarantined in Townsville.
“We are aware that a number of people have left Palm Island after the travel restrictions were put into place and all would have been aware of the 14-day isolation period,” Mr Higgins said.
“There has been considerable information and notices provided on the self-isolation and any person who has registered to go into the facility should have been contacted by someone from the District Disaster Management Group and provided with appropriate advice.”
RELATED
• Adele Young will take over Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council this week
• ‘Psychological’ concerns for isolated Palm Islanders in Townsville
• Palm Island residents are becoming frustrated with strict COVID-19 measures
Mr Higgins said the council was just following the biosecurity laws put in place by the Federal Government to combat COVID-19.
“One of the conditions of the Biosecurity Determination is that people leaving Palm Island must undertake 14 days’ self-isolation prior to returning,” he said.
“The Palm Island LDMG made a decision that any self-isolation had to be in a monitored facility. Ms Boyd told the Townsville Bulletin a riot could erupt if the current lockdown laws aren’t eased on the island.
Palm Island police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Dave Rutherford refuted claims tensions were boiling.
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” he said of residents’ behaviour.
Originally published as Acting CEO Ross Higgins defends Palm Island council amid lockdown debate