Gladys Berejiklian says Steven Miles’ video ripping up $30m quarantine bill a political stunt

Gladys Berejiklian is unimpressed after Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles ripped up her $30m hotel quarantine bill.

Gladys Berejiklian has slapped down Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles after he filmed himself ripping up the $30m hotel quarantine bill his state owes NSW in a bizarre online post.

The strange footage, posted to the politician’s Facebook page, shows him tearing the tax invoice in half.

“(Prime Minister) Scott Morrison has given the go ahead for NSW to send Queensland taxpayers a $30m bill for their quarantine program even though it’s 100 per cent a federal responsibility,” Mr Miles said.

Ms Berejiklian said on breakfast radio it was a stunt that disrespected the efforts of frontline workers dealing with overseas returned travellers in NSW.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles destroys a NSW quarantine bill in a bizarre post. Supplied: Facebook

He posted the video to his Facebook page.

“Look, I appreciate he might do that for some political shots,” Ms Berejiklian told 2GB. “All I say to other states is, everyone has their day in the sun … sending pot shots to other premiers and whatever else.

“But we’re talking about people working their guts out to keep us safe. We appreciate that other states aren’t doing their bit in that regard, so just pay us what you owe us.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told Queensland politicians, ‘Pay us what you owe us.’ Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

She also reiterated that NSW accepted more overseas travellers than any other state.

“We’re welcoming 3000 Aussies back through Sydney Airport every week … it puts pressure on us,” she said.

“Every day, nurses, police, baggage handlers and hotel staff are putting their own safety on the line, and we don’t ask whether (the travellers) are from NSW or if they’re Queenslanders … they’re Aussies and we welcome them back home.

“The only thing we ask of other states is to give us what you owe us … we’re happy to do all the work.”

The bill, which was due to be paid on March 19, was for $30,115,346.80. The invoice bills Queensland for travellers resident in the state who arrived in NSW between March and September last year.

“NSW quarantined 7112 arrivals during the above period who provided a residence address in your state,” the invoice reads.

“A further 4991 arrivals did not have an Australian address recorded and have been allocated proportionally across states and territories and are included in your cost allocation.”