Surfers Paradise MP Langbroek tells Palaszczuk to ease restrictions

A Gold Coast tourism hub MP is urging further easing of restrictions hampering the economy, warning the city will face ‘anarchy’ from frustrated operators. But the Premier stands firm.

A VETERAN Glitter Strip MP is calling on Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to further ease COVID-19 restrictions as businesses on the brink soar.

But Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek’s calls have fallen on deaf ears, with Ms Palaszczuk saying the former dentist – as a medical professional – should know better.

Their row comes as Queensland recorded one new case of coronavirus yesterday, in south Brisbane.

MP John-Paul Langbroek. Picture: AAP.

All up, there are 53 active coronavirus cases with 46 in the southeast.

However, it will take 28 days, or two cycles of the 14-day incubation period with no cases recorded before restrictions will be lifted, meaning a full return to normality is at least a month away.

Mr Langbroek yesterday said the low number of cases made the case for an earlier loosening of restrictions and called on the State Government to fast-track the move.

“People are going to be ripping their hair out and someone has to ask at some point whether this cure is worse than the disease,” he said. “I am starting to think there is an undercurrent of people saying ‘Can we please get back to normal?’

“This city was built on private enterprise and small business. We’re willing to follow distancing directions but if this occurs long term we will have anarchy on our hands.”

But the Premier’s office last night hit back.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Steve Pohlner

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“The Palaszczuk Government is acting on the expert medical advice of the chief health officer,” a Palaszczuk Government spokesman said.

“As a former medical professional, the Member for Surfers Paradise should understand a global pandemic is no time to play politics.

“The first step in easing restrictions was this weekend.”

Despite generally good behaviour, police last night were forced to move on crowds on Burleigh Hill after a major breach of social distancing saw thousands flock to Goodwin Terrace to watch the sunset.

Authorities had to move crowds on from Burleigh Hill yesterday.

But prior to this, authorities had high praise for locals after the first weekend of COVID-19 restrictions being slightly eased.

Mr Langbroek’s push for further opening up of the economy comes as new data shows Gold Coast businesses classified at “high or severe risk” of collapse jumped by 183 on the same time last year to 568.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s National Cabinet involving all state Premiers will this week consider further easing of restrictions.

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said authorities were “seriously looking” at what lockdown measures to relax, and would make recommendations to the cabinet this week.

No it’s not early morning. This is the scene in Surfers Paradise between 8pm and 9pm last month. There was hardly a soul around, even in the heart of Surfers Paradise at the corner of Cavill Ave and Surfers Paradise Boulevarde. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mayor Tom Tate said he was supportive of businesses reopening but backed the Premier’s caution.

“As long as people continue to do the right thing and once the Chief Health officer is satisfied, I would welcome an easing of restrictions,” he said.

“Businesses are ready to get back to work and I know Gold Coasters are committed to doing it responsibly.”

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said it was too early to say whether the economy should be reopened.

“A month is a long time for businesses which have been hibernation but we have now established what this means for them and it is the new normal.

“Businesses are rolling with it and politics should not dictate health issues.

“For the Gold Coast, a lot of our business is generated by tourism and the big elephant in the room is the reopening of the international borders – that is what will resurrect us.”

Gold Coast traders yesterday told the Bulletin they were impatient to reopen.

Gold Coast small bar king Scott Imlach is gagging to reopen even at reduced capacity. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Leading hospitality figure Scott Imlach, who owns popular venues Hideaway Bar & Kitchen, Bine Bar & Dining, Mr Hizola’s, Nightjar and Nightcap, said he was eager to open his establishments again even if it means running them at a reduced capacity.

“We’d just like to reopen again as soon as possible,” he said.

“We were given 12 hours to close, but we need time on our side to reopen again. Even if we can operate on limited capacity that would be all right.”

Elk Espresso owner Andrew Whiting said he would love to see his Broadbeach brunch spot open to dine-in customers again but “only if it’s safe”.

“I don’t want to jeopardise all the hard work we have done to kick start the economy too early. If it’s safe, let’s do it.”

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) will meet this week to establish guidelines for easing social distancing and other coronavirus measures ahead of Friday’s National Cabinet meeting.

The extent to which measures will be eased will in part rely on the percentage of the country’s 16 million adults who have downloaded the COVIDSafe tracing app. So far, almost 4.5 million Australians have downloaded it.

Prof Murphy said there would most likely be a staggered approach to lifting restrictions, warning some countries had eased them too quickly and experienced a second wave of infections.