MP Phillip Thompson called for Townsville soldiers’ return to Queensland from quarantine in Sydney

Townsville soldiers returning from the Solomon Islands who faced Christmas in hotel quarantine in another state have been granted exemptions to return to Queensland.

TOWNSVILLE soldiers returning from the Solomon Islands who faced Christmas in hotel quarantine in New South Wales have been granted exemptions to return to Queensland.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson condemned the state government decision to deny dozens of Townsville-based soldiers from returning home after spending more than three weeks on deployment.

The exemptions were announced after media inquiries from the Townsville Bulletin were made to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office on Tuesday afternoon.

An Australian Army soldier from the Joint Task Group 637.3 talks with local citizens during a community engagement patrol through Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Australian Defence Force personnel touched down at the Solomons capital of Honiara on November 26, joining about 70 members of the Australian Federal Police in efforts to restore calm after civil unrest and riots gripped the country.

Troops were drawn from Townsville’s 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment with other elements drawn from the 3rd Brigade, 6th Brigade, 17th Brigade and the Deployable Joint Forces Headquarters.

Mr Thompson on Tuesday morning called for the immediate return of Townsville’s soldiers to the state.

Herbert MP Phil Thompson. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Australian Army Corporal Aaron Woodham from the Joint Task Group 637.3 is greeted by a local child during a community engagement patrol though Honiara, Solomon Islands on 27 November 2021.

“Here we have dozens of men and women in uniform, who have bravely answered the call to service, who will be brought back to Australia in time for Christmas, only to find out they won’t be allowed home to Townsville,” Mr Thompson said.

He pointed to the “hypocrisy” of allowing travellers from New South Wales into Queensland after providing a negative Covid-19 test.

Mr Thompson claimed the risk of a soldier contracting the virus was at “nearly zero risk” due to the islands not recording a case since April.

He said soldiers had worn personal protective equipment, were tested every three days and had returned to Australia on a military aircraft, all facts which minimised the risk of contracting the virus.

“The Premier is quick to call on the help of the ADF to help enforce border closures, stand guard at quarantine hotels and clean up after natural disasters,” he said.

“The Premier should be showing some compassion and common sense in return.

“At the very least, they should be allowed to isolate at home.”

In response to questions from the Bulletin, a Queensland government spokesman confirmed returning soldiers and their families would be reunited.

“A previous exemption that allowed direct entry to Queensland without quarantine has now been amended to permit personnel transiting through New South Wales to enter Queensland without further quarantine,” the spokesman said.

“The latest request from the ADF was made on Monday afternoon and granted on Tuesday.

“The Premier very much appreciates the work of Townsville-based ADF personnel in the Solomon Islands in recent times.”

An ADF spokesman in a statement confirmed defence personnel returning from the Solomon Islands, who were currently in New South Wales, would return to Queensland in the next 48 hours.

Originally published as MP Phillip Thompson called for Townsville soldiers’ return to Queensland from quarantine in Sydney