Qld Deputy Premier’s harsh words about Tasmania after travel bubble snub

Queensland’s Deputy Premier has taken an extraordinary swipe at Tasmania after his state was snubbed in Premier Peter Gutwein’s initial travel bubble plans.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier has taken a swipe at Tasmania after his state was left out of Premier Peter Gutwein’s initial travel bubble plan.

Steven Miles, who is also Queensland’s Health Minister, was asked on Saturday if he was disappointed Premier Peter Gutwein did not include his state in Tasmania’s first travel bubble phase.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Pic Annette Dew

Mr Miles quipped “we don’t need any kind of travel bubble with Tasmania”.

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would want to go to Tassie,” he said.

“We’ve got lots of fantastic parts of Queensland to visit and I know that lots of Queenslanders are doing that right now.

“I’m sure Tassie’s a pretty place but it’s no Queensland.

“They’ve got no reef, they don’t have the kinds of rainforests that we have, and of course, I don’t think anyone would be going to Tassie to go to the beach.

“If I was in Tasmania, I’d be a lot more interested in coming here (Queensland) than I would be in go there (Tasmania).”

Sloop Reef, Bay of Fires, Tasmania. Picture: Tourism Australia

Premier Peter Gutwein announced on Friday he would open Tasmania’s borders for ‘safe travel bubbles’ with three other Australian states – South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia – from August 7.

It comes as the state’s first case of coronavirus for more than two months was confirmed on Monday, a young Tasmanian woman who had returned from Victoria.

Wineglass Bay – Freycinet Air. Picture: Tourism Australia

Mr Gutwein said due to the majority of residents doing the right thing, Tasmania had become “one of the safest places in the world right now”.

He added in the public health’s view, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia were “equally as safe”.

“After review by public health officials and considering a range of border safety restrictions we intend to create safe travel bubbles between those three states,” Mr Gutwein said.

“This will happen in two weeks’ time — from Friday, August 7.”

Mount Field National Park. PIC: MATT THOMPSON

In terms of relaxing border restrictions with other states, Mr Gutwein said the government needed to “take a longer term view on relaxations”.

“I don’t see Victoria being opened up with Tasmania in the near future but we will continue to monitor on a weekly and monthly basis,” he said.

“With Queensland we need to take a position of caution.

“We will provide an update on the 7th August on possible times and dates to relax those states and territory (but we don’t see) Queensland, NSW or ACT (opening to Tasmania) any time before 14th August.”

Beautiful rugged scenery with glacial lakes and alpine heath on remote mountain plateau at Hartz Mountains National Park, Tasmania, Source: istock

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