Border closure: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and LNP Leader Deb Frecklington butt heads amid spike in Victorian COVID-19 cases

The LNP is adamant there’s “no health reason to say the borders should be shut” as the Premier warns a second wave would be a crippling blow.

Queensland’s Premier and the state Opposition leader have linked their stance on the controversial border closure to public opinion – but have a vastly different take.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she has been stopped in the street by Queenslanders concerned about a second COVID-19 wave. But Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington cites tales of hardship by businesses struggling to survive, crying out for a border opening.

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The Labor Government plans to review restrictions at the end of the month, while the Queensland LNP wants the border opened by July 1.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaking about the coronavirus situation while at Spring Mountain on Monday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Neither party has shifted its stance as dozens of new coronavirus cases emerge in Victoria, prompting a plea by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for residents to avoid Melbourne and nearby hotspots.

Ms Frecklington: “I’m listening to federal medical advice that says the border should open. By keeping borders closed it’s costing jobs and closing businesses. I’m listening to people in Queensland.

PREMIER: PEOPLE ACROSS QUEENSLAND DO NOT WANT THE BORDERS OPENED

“People are hurting, people’s livelihoods are at risk because of these border closures.

“There is no health reason to say borders should be shut.”

Ms Palaszczuk: “It is crucial that we don’t want to see a second wave. People were stopping me and saying they are very concerned about community transmission. They said that to me they were very concerned about Victoria.

The COVID-19 border closure has been contentious, particularly in the Gold Coast and the Tweed. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“The Chief Health Officer (Dr Jeanette Young) will be making a decision at the end of this month.”

LNP CLAIMS BORDER CLOSURE BOTCHED

“The AHPCC (Australian Health Protection Principal Committee) has also said they have concerns about Victoria and I have concerns about Victoria. There is a lot of active community transmission happening in Victoria and I hope that Victoria can get this community transmission under control.”

Ms Palaszczuk expected National Cabinet to speak about the COVID-19 situation in Victoria later this week.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington in Parliament House at Brisbane earlier this month. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Premier confirmed there was still three active cases in Queensland, which had record 1076 in total.