Gold Coast MP Ros Bates calls for ‘mandatory maximum penalties’ for people skipping quarantine rules, jumping border

A Gold Coast MP has called for “mandatory maximum penalties” for those caught breaking quarantine or jumping the border into the city.

A $13,000 fine or six months’ prison time should face anyone caught breaching quarantine rules, according to a Gold Coast MP.

Mudgeeraba MP and Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates has called for mandatory maximum penalties for anyone found breaking quarantine or illegally entering Queensland.

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The maximum penalty for border breaches is a $13,345 fine or six months’ jail.

It comes after it was revealed more than 200 people meant to be isolating are now “missing” in Queensland.

Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Ros Bates. Pics Tara Croser.

Of a total 400 people across the state in isolation, health officials found 185 people had given false contact details, and a further 210 remain unaccounted for.

“People giving a false address to avoid authorities is just not on,” Ms Bates said.

Police are searching cars at the border checkpoint. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

“We need to keep Queenslanders safe.

“We know today there are at least 185 people wandering around Queensland, we have no idea whether they’ve got COVID or not.

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“We have seen what’s happened with lax quarantining in hotels particularly in Victoria, and we need to make sure anybody who is in quarantine in Queensland has a mandatory COVID-19 test.

“If they’re trying to avoid authorities, you need to throw the book at these people.”