Covid border madness: Border talks stall on getting chippies and check-out operators exemptions to cross

Cross border talks about COVID restrictions have turned to farce with debate focused on whether chippies and retail check-out operators can enter Queensland, according to insiders.

THE cross border talks about COVID restrictions have turned to farce with debate focused on whether chippies and retail check-out operators can enter Queensland, according to insiders.

The Palaszczuk Government is frustrated after being given what it believes to be an unreasonable list of demands while NSW will not budge on the solution of moving the border south to the Tweed River.

A resident holding a valid COVID-19 digital immunity passport on her smartphone after she was vaccinated.

Currumbin LNP MP Laura Gerber has joined the debate calling for “targeted financial support for border businesses and the reinstatement of the previously safe and successful border bubble”.

The Bulletin last month flagged the Tweed River could be the new Queensland-NSW boundary line of a permanent cross “border bubble” after the NSW government agreed to enter talks with the Palaszczuk Government.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro wrote to Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath seeking a review which included establishing a consistent “border bubble” region, operational improvements on the border including more crossings and creating an appeal process for exemptions.

The Queensland border. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

A George Street source told the Bulletin: “We have said (in talks) our plan is to move the border south to the Tweed River. They have come back with a laundry list of exemptions they want for people crossing the border. They include chippies and people working on check-outs at supermarkets (to get across to Queensland). We will try to meet with them and be constructive.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles confirmed to the Bulletin the stand-off in talks.

“So far, NSW hasn’t budged on moving the border checkpoints south. Moving the checkpoints would be the best outcome because it would allow Tweed Heads residents to cross seamlessly into Queensland and keep our border communities together,” he said.

“If Tweed residents want the checkpoints moved, I encourage them to raise it with the NSW Government. Queensland officials will continue talks with NSW, but it’s disappointing that NSW won’t consider this option.”

Police and the army officers at the Queensland border at Coolangatta. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

Dr Miles also confirmed several requests were made to ease restrictions for more workers.

“NSW has made a number of requests to relax restrictions at the border, but we’ve made it very clear: anything that puts the health of Queenslanders at risk is off the table,” he said.

“Currently any easing of restrictions at the border without increased restrictions south of the border would increase the risk of the deadly delta virus entering Queensland. We won’t put our economic recovery at risk.”

Ms Gerber in State Parliament said she wanted to keep the community safe but the restrictions and extraordinary public health powers the government currently has to curtail people’s freedoms should “not last a second longer than they need to”.

“Much has changed since the initial public health emergency was declared in January 2020. Even in the last few months we have seen an ever-increasing supply of vaccines and the opportunity to begin transitioning to a post-COVID Queensland,” she said.

Laura Gerber at Parliament House. (AAP Image/Darren England).

“Our communities right now depend on this government to have a clear plan, a step-by-step road map grounded by expert advice that shows our community a path out of this pandemic, when borders will open, when lockdowns will be limited, when our businesses can reliably plan for the future and when Queenslanders can be assured they will be able to come home to their families.”

But Ms Gerber said Labor did not have proper future planning in place.

“In the immediate term I will continue to call for targeted financial support for border businesses and the reinstatement of the previously safe and successful border bubble. It is desperately needed,” she said.

“If the NRL can have their League bubble then my border community can have their border bubble back. Moving forward, my electorate deserves to know the plan for our community and indeed the State.”

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