‘No compassion’: Peter Dutton slams Annastacia Palaszczuk over Qld border

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has lashed out at Annastacia Palaszczuk for having “no common sense” on borders.

The stoush over Queensland’s strict border has continued with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton slamming the Premier for having “no common sense”.

Mr Dutton told Today on Friday morning that Annastacia Palaszczuk kept changing her decision to reopen the Queensland border.

Two hours later, Ms Palaszczuk announced a plan for visitors and returned travellers from NSW to be allowed into the state from November 1 if community transmission was under control.

NEW ROADMAP: Today we’re releasing a new roadmap to easing restrictions for October, November and December 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/JkeHmXyDdu

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 1, 2020

“There is an incredible amount of frustration out there because there is no consistency, no compassion and no common sense (from) Annastacia Palaszczuk,” Mr Dutton said.

“All of this is being done for politics, and on the eve of an election, and that’s why people are upset.

“You can understandably be angry about it, and that’s why the Premier is being called out.”

The border bubble between Queensland and NSW increased on Thursday. However, this has created long delays as police check cars. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

The Queensland Government has warned travellers permitted from northern NSW to expect delays crossing the border.

Ms Palaszczuk has repeatedly defended her position on borders, saying the decision was made on advice from the state’s chief medical officer.

Annastacia Palaszczuk is up for re-election at the Queensland polls on October 31. Pic: Annette Dew

“We have always said that we would continue to ease restrictions where we could in a staged and balanced way to keep Queenslanders safe – and this plan does just that,” she said in a tweet.

Ms Palaszczuk has previously hit out at Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push over borders, saying she will not be “bullied”.