Groom MP Garth Hamilton says residents left out of quarantine hub ‘tit-for-tat’ between State, Federal Govenments

Groom MP Garth Hamilton says Toowoomba residents have not been included in the war of words that has erupted over the proposed quarantine facility.

Groom LNP candidate Garth Hamilton

Toowoomba residents have been left out of the ongoing war of words over a planned quarantine facility between the State and Federal Governments, Groom MP Garth Hamilton says.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Prime Minister Scott Morrison continued their verbal sparring in the media this week over the proposal, which would build a 1300-bed facility near Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.

But Mr Hamilton, who previously said the plan lacked detail, noted the feelings of residents had not been included in the discussion.

“There’s a need for social licence to be achieved and at a high level that just hasn’t been achieved,” he said.

“There’s not a wide push in Toowoomba that supports this — there’s a lot of division, and it’s very strong.

“That social license is so important for a significant change to occur in a local community.

“The Premier has never talked, in any of her speeches, the concerns or the needs of the Toowoomba people.”

Mr Hamilton said he wanted to see both levels of government bring the matter to a close, saying the proposal was “dead”.

“I think the plan died a couple of weeks ago, when the chief medical officer outlined the need for any new quarantine facilities to be near a major hospital,” he said.

“I’d be urging the Prime Minister and the Premier to formalise the end of this proposal and give some closure to the people of Toowoomba.

“I don’t care about the tit-for-tat, my focus is on keeping Toowoomba people safe.”

Mr Hamilton also took aim at Senator Pauline Hanson for her comments aimed at Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, who said Toowoomba didn’t have the health capacity to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak.

“After nearly 30 years in politics, she’s become a cynical career politician, the type she used to rally against,” he said.

“I’m baffled as to why she would get involved without talking to the people of Toowoomba.”

Senator Canavan also fired back at the comments, after Senator Hanson said he had “rubbished” Toowoomba.

“Pauline doesn’t understand what it’s like to live in a country town with inferior hospital and health services, compared to the city,” he said.

“We can’t deal with major COVID-19 outbreaks like Brisbane can.

“If Pauline did live in the bush, she might understand.

“It’s just the facts – it’s the same as where I live in Rockhampton.”