Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles ‘won’t be bullied’ over border closure

The Queensland Health Minister says he “will not be bullied” over the border closure, after calls from the Prime Minister to reopen the state.

THE QUEENSLAND Health Minister has hit back at calls from the Prime Minister to reopen state borders by July, claiming he “will not be bullied”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier today he hoped the borders would be open for the school holidays, but Health Minister Steven Miles said the state will only reopen when it is “safe to do so.”

“Other states such as NSW and Victoria with more cases also have more restrictions in place within their borders because they have more cases,” Dr Miles said.

“It is the success of our border restrictions that has kept those cases out and allowed us to lift these restrictions.”

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister Health and Minister Ambulance Services, Steven Miles (AAP Image/Darren England)

“We want to lift border restrictions, as soon as we possibly but safely can.

“That is what that assessment at the end of this month and indeed every month will tell us.

“Whether it is safe to lift those border restrictions, and we are not going to be bullied by Scott Morrison into putting the lives of Queensland at risk.”

Minister Miles said the review at the end of the month would be implemented a “ about a week and a half,” after a decision had been made.

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“You have got to remember that in Victoria they are still telling people it is not safe to go to their CBD.

“So they are seriously standing up and telling us that it is safe for them to come to Cairns, but not to go into the Melbourne CBD.

Communities are now protesting the closure. Photo: Scott Powick Newscorp

“Similar restrictions also in New South Wales, so look we will work to lift those restrictions as quickly as possible.

“We know that southerners want to come to Queensland, for our fantastic climate, our great beaches, our national parks, the Great Barrier Reef.

“We want them to come here to, but we want them to come here when it is safe for them and safe for us.”

He said the state was willing to discuss with other states who have low case numbers about the possibility of opening up a travel bubble.