‘Village idiots’: Toowoomba’s take on border farce and tourism crash

City locals have shared their thoughts on Queensland’s border control and how it’s impacting our tourism sector, but one consistent message remains.

30th December 2020, Queensland Police stop and check vehicles entering into Queensland at Griffith Street Coolangatta via NSW after COVID restrictions were reinstated. Photo Scott Powick Newscorp

Labelling New South Wales “village idiots” in their response to COVID, some city locals have taken to post their beliefs about the virus’s impact on the state’s tourism sector on social media.

In a recent article posted on Facebook, it was suggested the tourism industry had taken a bigger hit than what was expected due to Queensland’s harsh stance on border closures.

John Moloney commented on the post, and said the government wasn’t at fault for the industry’s struggles.

“If they dropped there huge prices maybe locals could holiday, instead of relying on overseas, interstate,” he said.

“But they just don’t get it, keep the bloody borders shut Queensland, keeps us safe.”

Nick Hannay and Madonna O’Brien said the tourism industry’s fall was a small price to pay to keep Queenslanders safe, and avoid second, and third waves in the state similar to our southern neighbours.

“I’d much rather sectors struggle, with Govt supporting where practicable, than open slather and a resultant COVID catastrophe,” Mr Hannay said.

“Money money money, don’t be so greedy, think about the rest of us that live in this state,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Don’t worry about our Queenslanders health, look how much trouble and how quick the village idiots of NSW succumbed to corona by not listening to the health professional had to say.”

Queensland’s border remains closed to New South Wales in light of the increasing number of cases there, and in Victoria.