Chief medic Jeannette Young gave go-ahead for Tom Hanks to enter for film

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young wrote a letter to federal authorities giving the state’s support for the arrival of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.

A screengrab showing Tom Hanks as he delivers his monologue while hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ from his home in Los Angeles in April.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young wrote a letter to federal authorities giving the state’s support for the arrival of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.

With the Morrison and Palaszczuk governments in a war of words over who was responsible for clearing the way for Hanks to arrive in Queensland, The Australian has obtained a letter of endorsement for Hanks’ entry on behalf of the state government.

She wrote that the state government backed Hanks and 11 other international visitors for the filming and production of an Elvis Presley biopic produced by Australian director and screenwriter Baz Luhrmann.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young. Picture: NCA NewWire / Dan Peled

Writing to Australian Border Force chief commissioner Michael Outram, Dr Young wrote that “Queensland both supports and is willing to accommodate the cast and crew in Queensland”.

The production shut down in March when Hanks tested positive for COVID-19.

“I refer to plans to resume filming and production of the Warner Bros’ film ‘Untitled Baz Luhrmann Musical Project’, involving international cast and crew,” Dr Young wrote in June.

“I understand that in order for you to consider an exemption to allow these persons to enter Australia that you require confirmation that Queensland supports their entry into our state to resume production. I confirm that Queensland both supports and is willing to accommodate the cast and crew in Queensland.”

Also on the list of those Dr Young endorsed coming to Queensland was actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, two producers from the US, an assistant director and choreographer from London, and three hair and makeup designers from Italy.