‘Needs to explain’: Qld government reignites fight with Scott Morrison

The Queensland government has reignited a major flashpoint in tensions with Scott Morrison that have raged during the pandemic.

The Queensland government has reignited a bitter fight with Scott Morrison over quarantine hubs with questions raised over whether a federal centre will ever open.

State Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Prime Minister needed to explain why he partnered with other states on their proposals and rejected Queensland’s plan.

She suggested the federal centre at Pinkenba near Brisbane airport may never open and declared the state’s Wellcamp hub at Toowoomba was better value because it was up and running.

“It should have been done jointly, and it should have been done 18 months ago with the Commonwealth,” Ms D’Ath told reporters on Thursday.

“The Commonwealth should have stepped up as they did with Howard Springs (in the Northern Territory) and built this with us instead of playing politics.”

The State government’s Wellcamp quarantine facility welcomed its first guests on February 5, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The 500-bed Wellcamp facility will soon accommodate up to 1000 people who are isolating or test positive to Covid.

Of the 500 beds, 21 are currently occupied – 17 are unvaccinated international travellers.

The Pinkenba centre, which was agreed to by the state government, is due to open in April but questions have been raised about that deadline.

It is also slated to have 100 beds.

Federal and state governments have faced questions about what the centres will be used for with Covid cases in decline and restrictions easing.

The Pinkenba quarantine camp is being built by the federal government with an election looming. Picture: Supplied

“No one knows what the future holds as far as future waves and new variants,” Ms D’Ath said.

“The major outbreaks we had in Australia across New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and New Zealand came from hotel quarantine arrangements.”

The exterior of Pinkenba Quarantine located near Brisbane Airport and tertiary hospitals – just eight kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Picture: supplied.

The Palaszczuk government went it alone on the Wellcamp site before the federal site was announced.

With the May federal election looming, Ms D’Ath said it was highly possible the federal camp would never open.

“I consider Pinkenba as a bit of a hypothetical right now,” she said.

“But honestly, let’s wait and see how good it is, whether it’s better than Wellcamp, I suspect it won’t be.

“I’m not going to wait for the Commonwealth. We have waited for two years for them to get off their backsides and help us with hotel quarantine.”

Queensland has recorded its deadliest day of Covid cases following a press conference with Dr John Gerrard on Thursday. Pics Tara Croser.

Queensland recorded 39 new deaths and 5665 Covid cases in the most recent reporting period.

Of the 39 deaths, all were over 50 and 21 were in aged care.

A total of 229 deaths have been reported in aged care facilities in Queensland, out of 438 deaths recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.
Chief health officer Dr Gerrard said the deaths dated back to January and did not indicate a daily increase.

“The data shows clearly shows that the number of deaths from Covid have been falling steadily since the last week of January as we have past the peak.” he said.

“We received a report where there were 27 additional cases that extend back to mid January.”

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath and chief health officer John Gerrard urge Queensland parents to get their children vaccinated as schools continue to report increased Covid cases. Pics Tara Croser.

Dr Gerrard said 27 of the reports came from the department of births and marriages that arrives once a week while the other 13 deaths came from emergency departments, public health units, and residential aged care facilities.

Authorities said five were unvaccinated, 16 were double vaccinated and two had a booster shot.

Queensland hospitalisations continue to fall as the state records 382 people in public hospitals.

There are currently 33 Covid patients in ICU – 17 are on ventilators.

A total of 3196 rapid antigen tests were taken across the state on Thursday.

Children aged five to 17 made up 1668 of the 5665 Covid cases – down from the 1905 recorded on Wednesday.

Queensland parents have been urged to get their children vaccinated as schools continue to report increased Covid cases.