Qld election 2020: Palaszczuk says Berejeklian has her 'own issues to worry about'

Annastacia Palaszczuk has hit back at the NSW Premier, saying her criticisms of her were “disappointing” and “simply a diversion”. 

The Queensland Premier has slammed her NSW counterpart for trying to play politics once again over the borders, saying Gladys Berejiklian has “enough of her own issues to deal with”.

Speaking on Nine's Today show on Wednesday morning, the NSW Premier said she was frustrated by her state being lumped in with Victoria for the last few months by her Queensland counterpart. 

It comes after Ms Berejiklian told the Today show on Wednesday morning she had a better relationship with Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington than she did Annastacia Palaszczcuk.

 

Ms Bereiklian said if Ms Frecklington had been premier, the Queensland border would have been opened “months ago”.

 

Ms Palaszczuk said it had “nothing to do with NSW”, and it clearly showed the two LNP leaders were running their “own personal campaign at the expense of the health and livelihoods of the people of this (Queensland) state”.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a border decision would be made the day before the state election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Ms Palaszczuk is expected to receive advice from the Queensland chief health officer this week as to whether Queensland will open its borders to NSW from next Monday. 

Queensland’s chief health officer is this week deciding whether the border to NSW will open from November 1, with a decision set to be made on Friday, on the eve of the Queensland election. 

“What they’re saying is essentially they’ll open the borders without taking the medical advice,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I have the courage to stand up for what is right, I have the courage to keep Queenslanders safe.

“It’s disappointing to see the NSW Premier try to be political at this time when she has enough of her own issues to deal with.

“This is simply a diversion from what is happening with herself down in NSW.”

Earlier, Ms Berejiklian said she was becoming increasingly frustrated by being “lumped in” with Victoria when it comes to Queensland's perception of her state's COVID-19 risk.

Ms Berejiklian said she had a “great working relationship” with Ms Frecklington and that they spoke as recently as yesterday.

“She feels strongly about keeping jobs and getting tourism up and running,” she said.

“I know if she was elected premier she would open the border … She would have done it months ago because that’s the way Deb and the LNP are because they know it is important to control the virus and keep the jobs and economy going because in six months’ time when JobKeeper isn’t there anymore, we don’t want to see literally hundreds of thousands of Australians join the job queue.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she has a good working relationship with Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Berejiklian said Ms Frecklington would follow NSW’s lead in getting jobs back and rebuilding a “thriving economy”.

"We’re allowing our citizens as much freedom as possible in a COVID-safe way,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“You can’t compare NSW to what Victoria’s been through. That’s why the Queensland (border) completely lacks ration, it doesn’t make sense. There is no reason why the Queensland border is there.  

“I don’t think anywhere on the planet would be able to meet the 28-day benchmark (Queensland) gave us which I’ve never heard of.”

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