Wellcamp a $233 million testament to the worst of pandemic politics, writes Matthew Killoran

OPINION: The former Wellcamp quarantine hub near Toowoomba will stand as a $223 million testament to the worst of pandemic politics and was about political point scoring, writes Matthew Killoran.

The former Wellcamp quarantine hub will stand as a $223 million testament to the worst of pandemic politics.

Early into the piece in 2020, we saw the best of politicians, able to partisan potshots aside to work together to make some of the most difficult decisions the nation’s leaders have had to make outside of wartime.

But as it dragged on – and the federal election drew closer – we saw some of the ugliest politics.

Now taxpayers have forked out hundreds of millions of dollars for not one, but two quarantine centres which will barely be used.

In slim consolation, the federally backed site at Pinkenba will remain in public hands.

Whether it stands on guard for future health emergencies, emergency accommodation during natural disasters or a short-term crisis centre for women and children escaping domestic violence, as suggested by Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, it has the potential for public benefit.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing the Wellcamp quarantine hub in August 2021, with Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: Jack Tran

The same can’t be said about the Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre at Wellcamp, 15km from Toowoomba.

It was announced and awarded to Wagner Group without going to tender. This alone should have been of concern for the sake of transparency and governance.

It will return to private, not public hands, after the lease ends in April next year.

There were questions raised on how travellers would get there safely, with infection control measures, given it was almost two hours by bus from the Brisbane airport.

It was a week after the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government for the 500-bed village at Damascus Barracks in Pinkenba, and more than a month after that quarantine site was proposed.

By this time, August last year, there was already talk of borders reopening in the foreseeable future.

It appeared to be a way of continuing to attack a political weakness for then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government.

Supplied artist impressions by the federal Government of the Pinkenba Quarantine camp to be built by the Federal Government and run by Queensland State Government. Picture: Supplied

The Coalition took too long to respond to state governments across Australia calling for purpose built quarantine premises – Queensland Premier Anna Palaszczuk’s government had been pushing for one since at least January 2021.

The Morrison Government initially dug its heels in, but eventually gave in to pressure and signed off on centres around the country when it was all but too late to get value for money, compounding its failings on this front.

But once Pinkenba was signed off, there was no need for a second quarantine hub.
Wellcamp was about political point scoring.

If you have any doubt, think back to the Premier’s own words when she was asked at the press conference in August if the Prime Minister knew about the new centre: “I’m quite sure he does now”.

Originally published as Wellcamp a $233 million testament to the worst of pandemic politics, writes Matthew Killoran