Tourism centres across Queensland unite in protest against border blockage

Frustrated owners and workers from the Gold Coast tourism industry say the message for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is clear after staging a protest in Surfers Paradise.

FRUSTRATED owners and workers from the Gold Coast tourism industry have staged a noisy protest against Queensland’s ongoing border closure.

About 50 cars took part in the demonstration, which saw a convoy covered in placards travel from The Spit to Surfers Paradise.

Greg Daven, regional manager for Hot Air Balloon Cairns and Gold Coast, said the message to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was clear.

“We want a set date for when the border will be reopened,” Mr Daven said.

“We want them open by July and we need time to prepare. It takes a lot to reopen businesses.

Greg Daven from Hot Air Balloon Cairns and Gold Coast and Sarah Colgate from Aquaduck cheer on the convoy. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“Every day we wait is a loss of thousands of dollars for our industry.

“For protests to be happening here, the Sunshine Coast and Cairns shows hospitality is really hurting.

“Let’s face it, these are areas that normally fight for tourism and are in competition (with each other), so for us to come together …”

Michael Gilmore from Jetboats Extreme said he was surprised by the turnout.

“It’s amazing how many people are here, it was only advertised through word of mouth,” Mr Gilmore said.

Protesters make their feelings known in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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“We want to be back working, or getting ready to work - but instead we are here.”

Meanwhile, another High Court challenge is being flagged against the constitutional right of the Queensland government to keep the state’s borders closed.

School students, workers and freight drivers can enter the state without an issue, but Queensland is closed to anyone else because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are arguing that the Queensland government did not have the constitutional right to shut the border,” Mahoneys litigation partner Mitchell Downes said in a statement on the firm’s website.

Sarah Colgate from Aquaduck, Anthony Ardern from Whales in Paradise and Greg Daven from Hot Air Balloon Cairns and Gold Coast protesting in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

He said the move was part of a wider effort to help Queensland’s tourism industry recover from the effects that COVID-19 had on the industry and businesses and people that rely on it.

A gofundme page has been set up to fund the challenge and allow the plaintiffs to start the case in the High Court “as soon as possible”.

The Australian reported the challenge was lodged on Monday, with six plaintiffs including a Brisbane travel agency and a Cairns charter operator, plus interstate individuals and a company.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to buckle to pressure to reverse her decision to keep the borders closed during the coronavirus crisis.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has also threatened legal action in the High Court if borders aren’t reopened.

The Senator gave the Queensland premier until 4pm last Thursday to open the borders or face legal action.