State election editorial: Border closures have ‘crippled our economy’

The decision to keep the borders closed to greater Sydney – an economy the city relies so heavily upon – is motivated by politics ahead of the state election, writes Bulletin editor Rachel Hancock

JUST like the border that divides Queensland and New South Wales, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has demonstrated an inflexibility that has crippled our economy.

Friday’s decision to keep the borders closed to greater Sydney – an economy the Gold Coast relies so heavily upon – is motivated by politics. Pure and simple. Labor needs to win North Queensland to win the election, and will do so at any cost.

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LNP leader Deb Frecklington and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

‘POLITICS NOT OUR HEALTH’: COASTERS RIP INTO BORDER DEBACLE

Our cost, to the tune of $20 million a day ripped out of our economy.

Village Roadshow’s Bikash Randhawa put it ever so succinctly: “We are all bleeding away.’’

Eight active cases across greater Sydney – four of which have unknown links – within a population of nearly 5 million are holding this city, and our state, to ransom.

Yes, Queensland has been “kept safe’’ under the advice of Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young. There were indeed tough decisions that had to be made in the early days of the pandemic, but as the months roll on and the cases become few and far in between, the easier decision is to keep the status quo. And that’s exactly what Labor is doing.

Drivers queque at a Coolangatta border checkpoint. Picture: Jerad Williams

But credit should also go to Queenslanders, who have abided by the rules and exercised social distancing and hygiene standards that have helped stop the spread of the disease.

Saturday’s election is however not just about the borders and coronavirus.

It is about which party is going to lead this state out of its economic doldrums and back into the workforce post-March when JobKeeper payments are more than likely going to dry up. It is about who will provide greater stability in a time when the Gold Coast needs it more than ever.

On paper, Labor’s election promises for the Gold Coast appear to deliver more shovel-ready projects that can stimulate the economy. Its commitment to a six-land second M1 from Nerang to the Coomera marine precinct trumps the LNP’s four-lane shortened project equivalent.

But even before COVID-19, Labor presided over a state with the highest unemployment and the highest debt in the country.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland LNP Leader Deb Frecklington engage in a leaders debate at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre ahead of the state election on October 31. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

The LNP, under Deb Frecklington, has not hit it out of the ballpark for the Gold Coast this election campaign. Its $300 registration rebate will appeal to cash-strapped voters who would love it back in their pockets before Christmas while a $4m masterplan for a hospital and health precinct in northern Gold Coast does not go far enough.

Labor has had its chance to show the way forward. With unemployment levels on the Coast set to reach double figures early next year, on balance the LNP offers more hope on the path out of the pain.