‘No courtesy’: Qld Premier ‘disappointed’ by Morrison government silence on international travel plan

The Queensland Premier is furious she wasn’t consulted by Scott Morrison about reported plans to restart international travel early.

A furious Queensland Premier says she was not told about the proposed early reopening of international borders by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, before news of the plan leaked this morning.

Media reports on Friday indicated Mr Morrison would announce international borders would reopen in November - a month earlier than initially planned - as the nation’s vaccination rates continue to climb.

The news was circulating widely ahead of Friday’s meeting of national cabinet.

But Queensland was yet to be told to about it.

“I look forward to hearing about that plan. It has not been distributed in any papers to national cabinet, prior to national cabinet’s meeting,” Annastacia Palaszczuk said at Friday’s Covid update in Brisbane.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she was not told by Prime Minister Scott Morrison about a planned earlier easing of international border restrictions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Ms Palaszczuk added she was not going to agree to any easing of restrictions until she saw formal paperwork.

“It would be irresponsible and I think Queenslanders would expect me to see some paperwork to understand the issues before an announcement is made,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“It’s a bit disappointing that we haven’t been given that due courtesy before national cabinet.”

Queenslanders on Friday again avoided a lockdown despite recording two new community cases of Covid-19 and one in hotel quarantine.

There have now been 14 new cases in four days in a growing number of clusters, but these have been limited to close contacts and not via community transmission.

Queensland has reintroduced public health restrictions and effectively cut the number of fans who can attend the NRL grand final. Picture: Patrick Hamilton / AFP

New restrictions were introduced at 4pm on Thursday for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville and Palm Island, with public and private gatherings limited to 30 people, and cafes and restaurants returned to one person per 4sq m inside.

Stadiums have decreased to 75 per cent capacity, and funerals and weddings are restricted to 100 people, with a maximum of 20 dancing at weddings.

Brisbane is still on track to host the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, but the crowd capacity has been cut by 25 per cent.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she will not hesitate to impose a lockdown if the situation warrants it. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

The state government says it will not hesitate to impose tougher restrictions if necessary, however it has faith in its testing and vaccination regime.

“Unlike the last time we had to lock down in the Indooroopilly cluster, this time we know exactly where all these cases have been acquired,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.

Originally published as ‘No courtesy’: Qld Premier ‘disappointed’ by Morrison government silence on international travel plan