Scott Morrison says Qld are ‘biggest losers’ as borders stay closed

It’s almost the day most of Australia has been waiting for. Now, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has a single message for Queensland’s Premier.

As the end of the month ticks closer and closer, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she will not buckle early on a border easing announcement by laughing off questions about a reopening date on the weekend.

Queenslanders will have to wait until Tuesday, June 30 to find out when and how COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted, and that any decision would be rooted in “evidence” and on the back of medical advice.

At a media conference in Sydney, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Sunshine State needs to open borders sooner rather than later, before serving a simple message to Ms Palaszczuk’s government.

“The people who would be the biggest losers from that border not opening up are the people of Queensland,” he said on Monday.

“The people of Queensland need their economy to re-fire.

“There are Queenslanders who aren’t in jobs who need their borders open and I have been very consistent and advocating to all the premiers and chief ministers, regardless of what side of politics they come from, that it is important to get these borders open.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk laughed at a question about border restrictions over the weekend. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The Palaszczuk government have stood firm on the announcement date, refusing to bring forward any discussions despite low virus cases across the state.

Over the weekend, when Ms Palaszczuk was asked about when she would set a border reopening date, the Premier laughed before responding with, “Well, when is the end of the month?”

The reporter responded it was June 30 before the Premier responded with a laugh and acknowledged that will be the date of the announcement.

But a Senior MP questioned the Premier’s lighthearted response, saying that businesses across the state weren’t “laughing” about the ongoing border closures in response to COVID-19.

Taking to Twitter, LNP MP Jarrod Bleijie posted a video of the Premier laughing.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk laughing and making jokes about the Queensland border remaining closed. I don’t see any businesses laughing Premier,” he wrote.

“Out of her depth and not fit for the high office she holds.”

.@AnnastaciaMP laughing and making jokes about the Qld border remaining closed. I don't see any businesses laughing Premier! In fact, quite the opposite. Out of her depth and not fit for the high office she holds. #qldpol https://t.co/ak5nUF1dky

— Jarrod Bleijie (@JarrodBleijieMP) June 27, 2020

Earlier today, the Prime Minister phoned in to 2GB, saying there’s “no reason” why Queensland shouldn’t push ahead with reopening its borders next month.

“As I understand Annastacia Palaszczuk is going to make an announcement soon, I would hope to confirm the 10th of July date, she didn’t offer any more on that on Friday but I was pleased to see both Tasmania and South Australia confirmed their openings,” Mr Morrison said.

“There’s no reason we can’t go ahead with those openings, they should go ahead … I’m pleased those states have pressed ahead and I hope Annastacia Palaszczuk will do the same in Queensland.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there’s “no reason” why Queensland shouldn’t push ahead with reopening its borders next month. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch.

On Sunday, Queensland government minister Mark Bailey echoed the Premier’s stance.

“We have made these decisions based on health advice from day one – we are the best performing state in the nation because we acted early and we were hard line about it,” Mr Bailey said.

“Border provisions have been key to us achieving that outcome, an outcome that New South Wales and Victoria haven’t been able to achieve.”

The decision to close Queensland borders is costing businesses almost $17 million a day. According to economic modelling by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Queensland has forecast that small businesses are bleeding $16.7 million for every day the borders remain closed.

The data, which was released earlier this month, follows research released by CCIQ who estimated the cost of the coronavirus to the state’s economy will be $40 billion for the six months to the end of June.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been criticised for keeping the borders closed for too long. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

Last week, Ms Palaszczuk said Queenslanders would not want to risk a second wave or an increase in community transmission, acknowledging that she would follow whatever advice was given to her by Dr Young.

But Opposition leader Deb Frecklington urged Ms Palaszczuk to commit to reopening sooner,

and that the Premier should stop referring to the chief health officer as the reason for deciding to keep the borders closed.

“Businesses need certainty and clarity to get back on their feet and that’s why the LNP is demanding that the borders are opened on July 1,” she said.

“It’s up to her to make the decision, not the chief health officer,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The borders should be open on first of July … the deputy chief medical officer has even said it is safe for the borders to be open.”

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington urged Ms Palaszczuk to commit to reopening sooner rather than later. Picture: Liam Kidston

The government’s decision to not bring forward the announcement of easing of restrictions comes after Police Minister Mark Ryan announced extra quarantine compliance checks.

Backpackers and travellers in the Wide Bay region will be targeted – after a fruit picker tested positive on June 6 – as well as pubs and clubs across the state.

The next easing of restrictions will be triggered on July 10 which is also the last day of school holidays in Queensland.

Up to 100 people will be permitted to gather in restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs although opening borders is not covered in the road map.

Queensland recorded no new cases overnight and has just two active cases across the state. Victoria, however, on Sunday declared 49 more positive tests overnight with more than 100 cases announced in the past three days.