Coronavirus: Annastacia Palaszczuk pushes Anthony Albanese into corner on vaccinations

Anthony Albanese is being pushed into a corner on Covid-19 vaccination and being asked some difficult questions, but it’s not Scott Morrison who’s put most pressure on the Opposition Leader – it’s Annastacia Palaszczuk.

The Queensland Labor Premier’s declaration that she will “stay strong” on border closures until all children are fully vaccinated goes against medical advice, global experience and federal Labor’s balancing act of “supporting the national plan” and backing rogue Labor premiers.

For weeks Albanese has been giving support to Mark McGowan’s tough stance on borders and pressing the Prime Minister on vaccination, quarantine and states’ rights.

Albanese’s plan to keep a low profile on lifting restrictions while setting deadlines for Morrison to meet was knocked off course when former Labor leader Bill Shorten took the political lead and supported the Doherty Institute’s recommended levels for easing restrictions of 70 and 80 per cent vaccination for the eligible population.

Then Labor shifted to a series of new thresholds for Morrison to meet, including vaccination for indigenous people, those with a disability, aged care workers and children.

Palaszczuk’s blunt declaration lacked all the nuance and contradictions of Albanese’s position and now Labor is being confronted with tough questions it can’t answer without turning on the Queensland Labor Premier.

As a Queenslander locked out of parliament in Canberra, Jim Chalmers was diplomatic on Thursday saying Palaszczuk “can speak for herself” but shifted the emphasis to vaccinating children aged 12 to 15 and not younger children.

Albanese, breaking cover in a media conference, wanted to talk about the ANZUS treaty but only got quizzed on whether borders should remain shut until children under 12 are vaccinated – something that is not happening anywhere in the world.

Using the Labor line that Morrison has failed on vaccinations and quarantine, Albanese was not able to commit to young children’s vaccination and the Palaszczuk position declaring that Labor supported the national plan, conceding that “at the moment what’s been approved is the vaccine for 12-to-15 year olds.”

Albanese’s own plan of siding with the Labor premiers over Morrison’s plan for reopening is starting to squeak and the wheels are wobbling as Victoria’s Daniel Andrews moves the Labor ground on eradicating Covid cases in the community and easing restrictions when the vaccination levels are reached.

Again, federal Labor is going to have to alter its emphasis, look more to the future and appear to be less negative and divisive. With a five-week Parliamentary break coming up Albanese is going to have to move quickly.