Queensland poll results show majority want borders reopened

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used his strongest language yet as he implores Queensland to open its borders and “get planes flying again”, as more than 4000 readers vote in our poll to end the lockdown. SEE THE RESULTS

QUEENSLAND needs to open its borders in July and let people know when it’s happening at the earliest opportunity, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as he urged them to “get planes flying again”.

While Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at one point indicated it could be September before the state border is reopened, she has relented and indicated it will be reviewed at the end of the month.

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In his strongest language on the contentious subject to date, Mr Morrison used Question Time today to urge all the domestic state borders to come down - specifically calling out South Australia, for Tasmania, for Queensland and Western Australia.

“We need to get planes flying around Australia and if you want to see planes flying around Australia, we need to open up these domestic borders,” he said.

“This isn’t a partisan issue. This is about ensuring that our economies can open up.

“I would be hoping that at the earliest possible opportunity states will be able to indicate the date in July that interstate travel will be open again to be able to give that certainty.”

He said it would be vital to saving as many airline jobs as possible, including for the embattled Virgin Australia.

“It is in Virgin’s interests, it is in Qantas’ interests, it’s the aviation sector’s interest that we move to opening up travel in Australia as soon as possible,” he said.

It comes as poll results have shown that an overwhelming amount of Queensland residents want the state borders reopened.

Having recorded no new COVID-19 cases in four days, members of the public have expressed concerns for the tourism industry, as well as local businesses.

In a poll conducted by the Courier Mail this morning, more than 4400 people have voted in just a four-hour period, with a landslide of 84 per cent of contributers saying the Queensland borders should reopen.

The government has denied in court the state’s border closure is creating financial hardship for businesses, but Queensladers weren’t convinced.

Within the comments, many expressed their frustrations towards the claim.

“Ms Palaszczuk is overreacting, our virus threat has passed and borders should be opened,” commented Roy.

“Business are going bust, if she doesn’t open soon it will affect Queensland for many years - the decision is not hers to make, it should be the people who decide and keep us safe from infection.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Business owner, Leanne, said the government was “in fantasy land” if they thought the border closures weren’t affecting businesses.

“Not hurting business? Who do they think they are kidding? My business is 60 per cent down and that figure hasn’t changed since intrastate travel opened.

“We usually have 100 per cent occupation in July, we currently have only 10 per cent for this July, all due to the border closure,” she said.

The results of another poll, which this morning asked if the Palaczszuk Government had ‘lost the plot’ over the border closure, saw 87 per cent from a group of more than 900 people vote yes.

Despite public outrage following the State Government’s handling of the Black Lives Matter rally, which saw 30,000 people congregate, the Premier has today revealed she would look at reopening borders in stage three of easing restrictions.

“The arrogance, ignorance and destructiveness of the Queensland government shows no borders,” wrote Rene.

Originally published as Queensland poll results show majority want borders reopened