Deputy premier says Qld will refuse to pay NSW $30 million quarantine bill

The Sunshine State will refuse to pay NSW a $30 million bill as the war of words between Queensland and the federal government intensifies.

Queensland will refuse to pay a $30 million quarantine bill to NSW unless the prime minister approves the state’s proposal for a purpose-built quarantine facility.

The 1000-bed site proposed by the Palaszczuk government would be based in the outskirts of Toowoomba and paid for by construction company Wagners.

But the project is unable to go ahead without the approval of the federal government, which has consistently voiced its preference to host overseas travellers in centralised hotels.

On Wednesday, deputy premier Steven Miles told parliament the Sunshine State had been slapped with a $30 million bill to be paid to NSW for quarantining Queenslanders, which the government plans to use as a bargaining chip.

Scott Morrison is being held ransom over a $30 million quarantine bill. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“Scott Morrison is like a school bully telling us we have to give our lunch money to New South Wales,” he said, declaring the states and territories had been forced to resolve quarantine issues because the federal government had “failed” in its responsibility to take care of quarantine,” Mr Miles said in parliament on Wednesday.

“And yet, the Commonwealth continues to hold New South Wales up as some sort of supposed gold standard.

“Who could forget Prime Minister Morrison’s crocodile tears over NSW residents’ inability to attend funerals or come to our hospitals despite NSW owing us $20 million for hospital treatments already.

“Now I am outraged to advise the house that the Prime Minister has told NSW they can bill Queensland for their hotel quarantine.”

The deputy premier tabled the invoice, which declared the Sunshine State owed $30 million for quarantining more than 7000 Queenslanders between March and September last year.

“I can advise the House that we will not be paying that bill, not while the Commonwealth refuses to endorse our plan for a national quarantine centre,” Mr Miles said.

The Palaszczuk government is proposing the purpose-built facility be constructed at an airstrip near Toowoomba to allow passengers to travel directly to the quarantine site.

“Our hotel quarantine has been very effective at keeping Queenslanders and Australians safe, but recent cases of transmission out of hotel quarantine in Queensland and other states has highlighted the need for purpose-built facilities,” Mr Miles told parliament.

“The national quarantine centre proposed for Wellcamp Airport would allow us to accommodate up to 1,000 returning Australians currently stranded overseas.

“It would also include accommodation for up to 300 staff. Travellers could be securely and safely transferred from incoming flights within the airport precinct to the quarantine facility.”