NSW, Qld borders: Berejiklian asks Palaszczuk to show ‘compassion’

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has hit out at Queensland’s Annastacia Palaszczuk and her lack of “compassion” over border closures.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has hit out at Queensland’s leader Annastacia Palaszczuk over her ongoing restrictions, saying she should show “a bit of compassion” when it comes to border restrictions.

Appearing on 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live this morning, Ms Berejiklian claimed her relationship with the Queensland Premier wasn’t positive, but it wasn’t through a lack of trying.

“I’ve tried to establish a positive relationship, but it’s a bit difficult when decisions are made without even telling us,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Can I compare that to Dan Andrews and the Prime Minister? The three of us worked together on a very difficult decision about the Victorian and NSW border, and I would like to see that applied to all borders.

“I think that at this stage of the pandemic all of us should be thinking about how we can make life easier for our citizens, what we can do rather than what we can’t do and that is certainly the headspace we are in NSW.”

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is standing firm on the border closure. Picture: Brendan Radke

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Ms Berejiklian’s comments come as the Queensland Premier is being slammed for allowing hundreds of AFL officials and their families into the state, while regular families can’t get emergency healthcare across the border.

Today, Queensland is tipped to announce it will be hosting the AFL grand final, but the win has been marred over allegations of double standards.

The criticism comes after a Ballina couple expecting twins were told it would take too long to get an exemption to enter Queensland for emergency surgery when needed. Tragically, the mother lost one of the twins.

Ms Berejiklian said the big challenge with Queensland is that the state government “isn’t willing to talk”.

“The challenge is she has made a decision and isn’t willing to talk about that decision and is refusing to budge,” she said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Queensland Government isn’t willing to communicate with NSW over border closures. Picture: Simon Dallinger/NCA NewsWire

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is hopeful for her state to host the AFL grand final. Picture: Attila Csaszar/NCA NewsWire

“So what we do is make sure our health officials and all the people that deal with compassionate issues are speaking to all of their officials to make sure we get exemptions for people who need them.”

Earlier, Deputy NSW Premier John Barilaro fired up over the revelation that a plane load of 400 footy officials and their families landed on the Gold Coast late yesterday.

“Four hundred AFL officials from coronavirus central will go across the border into Queensland yet a young family can’t get emergency healthcare across the border,” he told the Today show.

“I think Annastacia Palaszczuk continues to show politics trumps good policy and I think she is undoing all her good work. I don’t get it. I don’t understand why the Premier of Queensland can’t see it. Show some heart.”

Ms Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday that her state would not reopen to NSW in September, after the Sunshine State recorded a further two cases of COVID-19.