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This was published 4 years ago
'60 days to keep Queensland borders safe': the political row over borders
By Alexandra Smith and Lydia Lynch
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been accused of putting her re-election bid ahead of the welfare of NSW residents, with her party telling supporters there will be no change to the border policy until after the October 31 poll.
As the feud between NSW and Queensland over border closures intensified on Wednesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Ms Palaszczuk had their first discussion about the issue.
Gladys Berejiklian wants to talk to her Queensland counterpart Annastacia Palaszczuk about border closures. Credit: Dylan Coker, Paul Harris, Getty Images
But with Queensland refusing to budge, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet urged the states to "ensure we are all working together on this to solve these issues".
"I would hate to think the upcoming election in Queensland would have a detrimental impact on the health and livelihoods of people in NSW," Mr Perrottet said.
His comments came as Queensland was confirmed as the host of this year's AFL grand final, which will see Brisbane's Gabba with a capacity crowd of 30,000 for the game, despite the border closure.
Ms Berejiklian on Wednesday called for more compassion during the pandemic and said she had reached out to Ms Palaszczuk with the hope she would take up the offer of having a conversation.
The Queensland Premier responded with a text message before Ms Berejiklian's daily media conference was over saying she was keen for a discussion. Ms Palaszczuk later said it was the first contact Ms Berejiklian had made.
Border closures will be the key issue at Friday's national cabinet meeting, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison will urge the states to phase out border controls that are being blamed for prolonging the recession.
Ms Palaszczuk has repeatedly scoffed at suggestions she was keeping the state locked down to help her win a third term and has said her government would review border closures at the end of each month.
All decisions about Queensland's border closures have been based on the health advice of Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.
However, in an email to Labor supporters on Tuesday, state secretary Julie-Ann Campbell reminded Queenslanders there were "60 days to keep Queensland's borders safe", referring to the October 31 election.
"By putting Queenslanders first and closing the borders to COVID-19, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the necessary and difficult decisions needed to keep Queenslanders safe," Ms Campbell wrote.
It is the most un-Australian, disgraceful bit of muscle flexing, desperate behaviour that I have ever seen.
Katrina Humphries, Moree Plains mayor, on the border closure
"We know Deb Frecklington wanted to open our borders - because she said so 64 times.
"Queenslanders can see the devastating impact of COVID-19 in other states. Deb Frecklington’s LNP can’t be trusted with our borders, and they can’t be trusted with Queensland’s recovery."
A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said the Premier discussed with Ms Berejiklian a border exemption for a doctor working in northern NSW.
The Queensland Premier told Ms Berejiklian the matter had been resolved that morning.
Ms Berejiklian's office did not disclose the details of the conversation but it is understood Ms Palaszczuk indicated she would consider exemptions for healthcare workers.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard also pleaded with Ms Palaszczuk to be more compassionate to patients in border communities whose health was at risk by the inflexible measures.
Ms Berejiklian said compassion needed to trump local tribalism.
“I take it personally when people are impacted unintentionally especially when they have a medical crisis or a jobs crisis and I hope that all state governments will respond,” she said.
The mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council Katrina Humphries slammed the border closure.
"It is the most un-Australian, disgraceful bit of muscle flexing, desperate behaviour that I have ever seen," Ms Humphries told Nine News. "We are so sick of it".