Gold Coast MP Stuart Robert calls on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to announce Queensland reopening plan
A Gold Coast MP has slammed the lack of a state reopening plan after slight changes were made to the border zone and says residents “live press conference to press conference”.
Gold Coast
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MORE northern New South Wales local government areas have rejoined the border zone overnight and can cross for essential purposes after being released from lockdown.
But the Queensland government has not budged on relaxing border restrictions for family visits or recreation, prompting criticism from Gold Coast MP Stuart Robert on The Today Show.
Essential reasons include work and schooling.
The zone now includes Bourke Shire, Broken Hill, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and the Far West in NSW. The areas were reinstated into the zone at 1am on Wednesday.
Speaking to hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon, Mr Robert slammed Queensland’s harsh border restrictions.
However, Employment Minister Mr Robert said the federal government was willing to work with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to reopen.
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He said there was still no time line for the reopening of Queensland and “we don’t have certainty”.
“We see in NSW and Victoria … very high vaccine rates because there’s a plan, there’s certainty that the citizens of those states know exactly what’s going to happen when certain rates are reached,” Mr Robert said.
“And that’s our plea to the Queensland Premier, let us know, let Queenslanders know what happens at 80 per cent (vaccination rate).
“Let Queenslanders plan for Christmas, because right now we live minute by minute and press conference to press conference.”
Mr Robert said it has been “the worst year in living memory” for state tourism operators.
“With international borders closed and interstate borders closed their tourism traffic is down 80 to 90 per cent,” he said.
COAST COUPLE CHARGED OVER BORDER PASS CONFUSION
“It’s costing them more to get their ships out to sea, or to have their venues open than they get from the small number coming through the doors and they can’t plan.
“That’s the biggest heartache, they don’t know when this stops.”
Mr Robert highlighted that interstate residents would “be able to go to Canada, but they won’t be able to get a Cairns”.
The state government has repeatedly waved off questions about a reopening date.
Ms Palaszczuk has raised concerns about the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant and safety of Queensland residents once the state reopens.
It has been revealed on Wednesday that at least one student, and possibly up to three, at Ballina Coast High School have tested positive to the coronavirus.
Qld Gov backtrack on Coast’s ‘crazy’ Bunnings snub
October 12: Iconic Aussie hardware chain Bunnings will host pop-up vaccination clinics statewide and the Gold Coast will have six of the 33 stores.
Initially the Queensland Government listed 25 participating stores open from this Saturday – but the Gold Coast had missed out in a development Mayor Tom Tate labelled “crazy”.
On Tuesday morning Cr Tate was not pleased Coast residents will not be able to visit Bunnings for a jab, particularly considering the popularity of the city stores.
“It’s crazy that no Gold Coast Bunnings superstores will be included as Covid vaccination sites for our city,” he said.
“We have record home renovation projects underway right now so thousands of owner-occupiers filter through the doors of the big (green) stores daily.
“It’d be a perfect chance for locals to shop, grab a sausage and get the jab.”
‘DEEPLY CONCERNING’: PLAN TO BOOST COAST’S SLUGGISH VAX RATES
By Tuesday afternoon the Palaszczuk Government had added six Gold Coast stores, which include Oxenford, Pimpama, Nerang, Robina, Arundel and Burleigh Waters.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said following the success of the pop-up vaccination clinics at 18 high schools last weekend, Queensland Health branched out to offer access to the vaccine at Bunnings.
“Not only can you get the vaccine at established Queensland Health vaccination centres, GPs, pharmacies and outreach clinics – you will also be able to get your jab at one of 33 Bunnings stores this weekend,” she said.
“We’re hoping tradies, renovators, DIY regulars, casual shoppers and those there for the sausage sizzle will all come forward to get vaccinated.”
‘GET VAXXED OR PREPARE FOR ICU’: TATE’S MESSAGE TO COAST
Like many regional areas of Queensland, the Coast has relatively low vaccination rates.
Australian Government Operation Covid Shield data published Tuesday showed 49.9 per cent of eligible residents aged over 15 in the Coast local government area were fully vaccinated.
The data shows 68.8 per cent of Coast residents have had one dose.
The Queensland single dose rate is 70.2 per cent, and the national rate is 82.4 per cent, with 52.7 and 62.4 per cent double dosed respectively.
The state government has opened two additional vaccination centres at Coomera and Tugun this week.
Coast misses out on Bunnings vax clinics, no new local Covid cases
Earlier: Queensland has recorded zero new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and four overseas cases after Health Minister Yvette D’Ath hinted at a possible reopening date.
Of the four new overseas cases, one was detected in hotel quarantine and three were detected on a marine vessel.
The latest coronavirus case numbers were announced about 9.40am on Tuesday.
Queensland has not recorded a new local case since October 5.
Additionally, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Twitter that pop-up vaccination clinics would be coming to Bunnings hardware stores – though no Coast shops are participating.
The move is likely part of the government’s push to boost regional vaccination rates.
COAST COUPLE CHARGED OVER BORDER PASS CONFUSION
On Monday, Queensland recorded no new local Covid-19 cases and one new overseas case was detected in hotel quarantine.
Meanwhile, Ms D’Ath has alluded to a time frame of “five to six weeks” before the border reopens and restrictions ease significantly.
She called on eligible Queensland residents to get vaccinated within that time frame, or risk illness or even death due to the infectious Covid-19 Delta variant.
Ms D’Ath was asked by a reporter on Monday if providing a target for reopening would bolster Queensland’s relatively low vaccination rates, but she did not provide a specific date.
More to come.
Reopening clue: Queensland urged to get jab before time runs out
October 11: Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has alluded to a possible reopening date for the state, urging eligible residents to get vaccinated against Covid-19 within “five to six weeks”.
Ms D’Ath said Queenslanders have that time to get jabbed before a spike in cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant.
At a press conference on Monday morning, Ms D’Ath was asked whether providing a “target” or time frame to reopen the state or ease restrictions would encourage Queenslanders to get vaccinated.
Ms D’Ath replied: “If someone wants a target, the target is getting yourself protected in the next five to six weeks. That needs to be your mission.”
“This virus will go into every single community once Queensland opens up, once Australia opens up,” she said.
“The question is who is going to get this virus? The answer is whoever is not vaccinated.”
It was revealed on Monday morning Queensland had recorded no new locally acquired virus cases, after the state’s first major scare in almost a week.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the lack of new local cases, and one new overseas case detected in hotel quarantine.
It came after an infected New South Wales passenger flew into Queensland without a valid border pass on Friday morning.
The passenger arrived on Virgin flight VA917 from Sydney.
Queensland Health has stated anyone who was at Gate 24 at Brisbane Airport between 6.18am and 7am on Saturday would be considered a close contact.
Anyone who was at the domestic terminal between 8.25am and 9am on Friday and 6am and 7am on Saturday are considered low-risk contacts.
Queensland has not recorded a locally acquired coronavirus cases since October 5 and on Sunday the state recorded two new overseas acquired cases, detected in hotel quarantine.
Meanwhile, new Coast vaccination centres have now opened at Coomera, adjacent to Westfield Coomera Shopping Centre; and Tugun, near John Flynn Hospital.
Anyone aged over 12 who would like a first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine can walk in between 1pm and 4pm, though the state government has flagged longer opening hours.
On Monday, Victoria announced 1612 new local virus cases and eight deaths, while NSW had 496 cases and eight deaths.
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Originally published as Gold Coast MP Stuart Robert calls on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to announce Queensland reopening plan
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