David Crisafulli calls on Premier to release medical advice behind Queensland’s COVID response
David Crisafulli says Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is treating Queenslanders like mushrooms and leaving them feeling disconnected because of her refusal to release the medical advice behind her government’s COVID response.
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Opposition leader David Crisafulli would not be drawn on whether he believes the borders should be open to Sydney and Victoria but said that Queenslanders should be shown the health advice.
It appeared to be a bid to distance himself from predecessor Deb Frecklington, whose election prospects were marred by her vocal criticisms of the Premier’s tough stance.
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Labor’s strong border closures were believed to have been a key feature in delivering Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk her decisive election victory last month.
After unveiling his new shadow cabinet today, Mr Crisafulli said he had written to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to request a briefing from the Chief Health Officer, and only afterwards would formulate a position on the borders.
“In the meantime the best thing the Premier could do for the people of Queensland is to release the medical advice when she gets it and that will enable people to have confidence,” he said.
“What is the medical advice that says we can fill a stadium, quite rightly for [State of] Origin, but someone can’t walk in and kiss their kid goodbye on the cheek on the first day of Prep?”
Mr Crisafulli said if Queensland public were shown the health advice they would be more likely to accept it.
“But where they’re treated like mushrooms, where they’re given little bits of information they quite rightly feel disconnected from decision making,” he said.
“I want to see what that information is and then we will formulate a balanced, reasonable, sensible approach.
“If we agree with the government we will say so, if we disagree we’ll chart an alternate course.”
Mr Crisafulli said he had not yet spoken with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian about the borders.
Mr Crisafulli’s comments put him at odds with the federal government – after Health Minister Greg Hunt on Sunday said they wanted the borders open “overwhelmingly” by Christmas.
“There is no advice from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer that any state or territory should be closed to any other state or territory,” Mr Hunt said.
National Cabinet on Friday agreed that all states except WA should open border by Christmas. It comes after Labor criticism throughout the election campaign that the Prime Minister and Queensland LNP were in lock-step over opening the borders.
Labor frequently touted the line that the LNP had “recklessly” called for the borders to be opened “64 times”, but Ms Frecklington had changed tune at the onset of Victorian’s second wave.
In revealing the new-look shadow cabinet Mr Crisafulli said “economic credibility” and openness and transparency” were two things that he wanted to make “front and centre”.
And Mr Crisafulli spruiked the new Opposition portfolio for Integrity in Government, held by Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson.
“I’m not sure that there’s been a government with a Minister for Integrity, we will have one, and she will make sure that we conduct ourselves in a manner that the Queensland public will be proud of,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli said splitting the finance and treasury portfolios showed how serious the Opposition was about “charting a strong vision” in a bid for Government in 2024.
He said Andrew Powell, who was previously the Opposition spokesman for State Development, would now be the shadow cabinet secretary.
“He is wise council, a wise old head, and having him around that table gives us another person that makes sure we prepare ourselves for government.”
And the former Opposition spokesman for police and counter terrorism, Ninderry MP Dan Purdie, would now be COVID recovery assistant minister, while Burdekin MP Dale Last would be the spokesman for Police and Corrective Services.
“I wanted Dale Last to be spokesperson for Police and Dan [Purdie] has incredible financial acumen and therefore will be made the assistant minister for COVID recovery and will be working hand-in-hand with David Janetzki.”
When asked if splitting the finance and treasury portfolio meant it was too big a task for one person Mr Crisafulli said no – but it was for Treasurer Cameron Dick.
“I look forward to seeing him dance around like a cat on a hot tin roof.”
“They are going to keep him honest … to make sure he is questioned, but more than that they are going to put an alternate position forward.
“The next election will be decided on economic management … long after we’ve stopped talking about coronavirus …”
Originally published as David Crisafulli calls on Premier to release medical advice behind Queensland’s COVID response
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