Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she has no difference of opinion with Prime Minister on border

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has responded to comments from Prime Minister Scott Morrison pleading for the border to be reopened.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is in agreement with the Prime Minister on border closures, despite his call for state leaders yesterday to set a date to reopen.

The Premier’s comments come as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) pushes for the State Government to do away with its arbitrary deadline at the end of the month.

Speaking with the media this morning, Ms Palaszczuk brushed off any suggestion Queensland was acting alone on border closures, following the Prime Minister’s push for the state to set an open date in July at the “earliest possible opportunity”.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane today. Picture: AAP.

“There was no difference in what the Prime Minister has said and what I have said,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I have said very clearly that in stage three we are looking at what interstate travel can be allowed.

“We are at one on this in terms of July.

“There is no dissent on this. He has said July and I have said July.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she did not regret her earlier comments suggesting borders could stay shut until September, despite the panic incited in the Gold Coast business and tourism sector.

“I don’t because back then the evidence was there was a lot more community transmission happening in NSW and Victoria at the time,’’ she said.

“NSW has done a great job in getting that under control but I will always put the health of Queenslanders first.”

The CCIQ predicts small business revenues could collapse by up to $27 billion during the June quarter as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions, with $13 billion in revenue lost during the March period.

Police at the Queensland border checkpoint between Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

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CCIQ general manager of advocacy and policy Amanda Rohan said businesses across Queensland desperately needed the Government to ease restrictions and not wait for specific dates.

“The Premier has stated a border review is scheduled at the end of the month, but why can’t that review be brought forward, enabling an exact date of reopening the borders to be set?” Ms Rohan said.

In the most recent Suncorp-CCIQ Pulse survey, 90 per cent of businesses said their sales and revenue projections had fallen as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.

CCIQ predicts that without an easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the turnover of small businesses could collapse by up to $27 billion during the June quarter, especially businesses in the accommodation and hospitality, tourism and retail industries.

It says ongoing border closures have severely inhibited ability to sell goods and services to consumers.

Ms Rohan said businesses should be allowed to operate to their fullest possible capacity, in a COVID-safe way while borders remain closed.

“Having patron limits is unviable for many businesses. It is causing more financial strain and stress on businesses and putting more at risk of closing, which will see more staff out of work and in the unemployment line,” she said.

One new coronavirus case as announced in Queensland overnight.

The infected woman is in quarantine after returning from overseas.

There are just three active cases in the state.