Coronavirus: ADF ‘used as bargaining chip’, says Steven Miles

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has accused Scott Morrison of using troops as a ‘bargaining chip’ in the ongoing border war.

Police check cars at the Queensland border with NSW at Coolangatta. Picture: Steve Holland

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has accused Scott Morrison of using troops as a “bargaining chip” in the ongoing border war by threatening to withdraw soldiers by the end of the month.

Australian Defence Force soldiers have been helping to man closed borders across the country, joining police and SES volunteers in Queensland to enforce the state’s hard border shutdown since last month.

Queensland leaders have reacted angrily to an ADF decision to withdraw troops by the end of September, suggesting the move was orchestrated by the Prime Minister to make a political point.

Mr Miles said it was “no secret” Mr Morrison did not like “our strong border protections”.

“His withdrawal of the support of the Defence Force is dis­appointing — it’ll make the job of our police even harder,” he said. “It’ll mean more shifts, more overtime, more police allocated to that task.

“I really don’t think the Defence Force should be used as a bargaining chip in what is an ongoing political attack by the federal government on the state government. Our policies have worked; they should back off.”

Mr Miles said it was good that the ADF would continue to help with hotel quarantine, allowing more Australians to return from overseas.

Premier Annastacia Palas­zczuk urged the commonwealth to reconsider, saying it was not clear why Victoria would have troops on its border longer than other states.

The border debate is shaping up as a key issue at the October 31 state election.