Annastacia Palaszczuk defends Queensland’s hard border and slams her relentless critics

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Border closures around the country will be leading National Cabinet discussions between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders today. Queensland borders are set to be the biggest focus of Friday’s meeting, as the state faces continued pressure on easing its hard-line restrictions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants borders to come down by Christmas, but instead of being pushed to tear down a complete hard border with NSW, it’s expected Mr Morrison will seek common sense and compassion” from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

But speaking to media on Friday, Ms Palaszczuk said she will not be intimidated to reopen the border, saying her fundamental concern is keeping her state safe. I think it’s a bit disingenuous for this heightened criticism that is coming from a whole lot of levels when our fundamental concern is to look after Queenslanders and to make sure that they are safe during this time. I do not want to see what has happened in our aged care sector in NSW and in Victoria happen here in Queensland. That would be a nightmare. Victoria and NSW need to get everything under control then the whole country can open up. It’s a very simple.

Ms Palaszczuk said the criticism over her border closure had been relentless but her government will not be pressured to budge on her stance. It is relentless. It is intimidating. But I will not be intimidated. The Premier also said her family had been upset by the attacks on her.

The Deputy Chief Health Officer came out and said the aim was no community transmission. That’s what the Deputy National Chief Health Officer said. And we have seen that happen in other states and territories and my focus has always been as a country we should be focused on the risk areas and that is Victoria and NSW. There will also be further discussion how a coronavirus hotspot is defined by state and territory leaders, which Mr Morrison wants clarity on so there’s an understanding on when states can shut borders. The decision of opening and closing the borders has generated a $55 billion hit to the tourism sector this year alone.

Calls for Ms Palaszczuk to show compassion around the border restriction come after a Ballina woman lost one of her unborn twins.