Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk prepared to lose election before opening borders

QLD premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has made a stunning pledge to keep the state’s border restrictions, even if it costs her government.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is willing to lose the upcoming state election to keep people safe.

Responding to what she described as “relentless” attacks on her government and chief health officer’s border measures, Ms Palaszczuk said she made no apologies for decisions that had been made.

“If it means I have to lose the election, I will risk all that if it means keeping Queenslanders safe,” she said on Monday.

“I will always stand up for what I believe to be right in this state.”

READ MORE: Jeannette Young under attack: Trolls told to ‘back off’

However, she promised her government would do more to accommodate people trying to get in and out of the state on compassionate grounds.

“I understand it is a difficult time and we are going to do better,” she said, adding more staff were being recruited to handle requests.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she and her government have been subjected to relentless political attacks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Ms Palaszczuk said the sunshine state was not the only one that had been “inundated” with people wanting exemptions.

“But for some reason Queensland seems to be singled out,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said if she lost the election because of the decision to keep the state’s borders closed until it was safe to reopen, then “so be it”.

“I will stand on my record, I will hold my head up high and I will stare down those people who are trying to tear Queensland apart, because we have a track record of our economy going strong, because we have put in place a good health response,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said while Victorians remained in lockdown, Queenslanders were largely going about their lives as normal.

“I’m not going to risk that, why would anyone risk that?” she asked.

The premier singled out Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, accusing them of using the COVID-19 pandemic for political purposes.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of bullying the Queensland premier. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

It came after Mr Morrison pleaded with Ms Palaszczuk to allow a young woman to attend her father’s funeral.

One of the man’s other daughters has since slammed the prime minister for turning the family’s grief into a ‘circus’.

Ms Palaszczuk also issued a word of advice to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to focus on the issues in her own backyard before she continued her attacks about the border closure with her state.

“Perhaps she better deal with her own koala management plan,” she said, adding her government had implemented its own without tearing itself apart.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young is now being flanked by police after it was revealed she had been the subject of death threats.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the attacks on her had taken its toll. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Ms Palaszczuk said it was not right one of the country’s best medical professionals was being targeted for giving advice.

“Dr Young is one of the most professional women I have ever met,” she said.

“Her advice has kept Queensland safe during this pandemic.”