A decision on whether Queensland will open its borders to NSW will be made by Friday, on the eve of the state election in what could sway hundreds of thousands of voters.
As part of Queensland’s road map to a COVID-normal, the initial stage 5 easing of restrictions included opening the borders to NSW on November 1, provided the southern state record no new “mystery” virus cases for 28 days straight amid a number of criteria.
While Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has remained firm in saying the decision ultimately rests in the hands of the chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young, whether the borders swing open or remain ajar could influence voters on election day.
Political scientist Dr Paul Williams has previously told NCA NewsWire a number of voters could be influenced by the decision on the border.
“It could well be the noise we’re hearing over the border is that of a noisy minority,” he said.
“There could be a very large silent majority that want to express gratitude (to Ms Palaszczuk). ‘
“We’ve seen that before, in the aftermath of the 2010/11 Brisbane floods there was a huge surge in Labor’s vote, and Anna Bligh was one of the most popular politicians in Australia for some time.
“Had she called an election straight away, she would have had a major victory because of the gratitude vote.”
Queensland once again recorded no new cases on Tuesday, while NSW recorded two locally acquired cases, both household contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, Victoria has recorded its second day in a row of no new cases on Tuesday for the first time since March.
According to NSW Health, three cases with an unknown source have been recorded in the state in the past four weeks, all contained to south eastern and south western Sydney.
In total, 54 locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the state in the four weeks to October 26, all of which have been contained to Sydney and southern NSW local health districts.
It’s prompted former Queensland Labor premier Peter Beattie to criticise Annastacia Palaszczuk’s strong stance on the borders, saying she should look to her Liberal counterpart in NSW to open up or risk sending the state bankrupt.
Mr Beattie was adamant his comments had nothing to do with politics, saying he was concerned about getting Australians back to work and finding a sense of normality amid the pandemic.
“I think everyone – when we didn’t know a lot about the virus – did a good job,” Mr Beattie said on Today on Tuesday morning.
“That includes the Queensland Government … But now what we have seen is the best method to apply is the one in NSW. That’s contact tracing, and it is what we need to do at an Australian level.
“This is not about disloyalty … This is about Australia.”
Fronting the media on Tuesday, four days before the election and despite more than 740,000 Queenslanders having already cast their ballot, Ms Palaszczuk remained firm that the borders would be reviewed at the end of the month by the state’s chief health officer.
“Those comments (of Peter Beattie) don’t bother me,” she told reporters on Tuesday.
“I have always maintained that I will listen to the health advice. We have a strong health response that means our economy is opening up.
“I will be getting the advice from the health officer and when she has made her decision we will make an announcement. I will listen to the health advice to keep Queenslanders safe. That is my job.
“The CHO takes in a whole range of things – sewage tests, testing rates, and NSW Health have to trace the cases. She will talk to the CHO in NSW, she’ll look at the data.”
Ms Palaszczuk said it was only because of the health advice that the Queensland economy was able to come back “quicker and faster.”
“What gives me relief is seeing seniors and elderly members of our community out and about,” she said.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington has changed her stance multiple times on whether the borders should reopen but has reaffirmed a decision should be made based on the best health advice, and should be made with commonsense, compassion and consistency at the focus.
“Peter Beattie and I have got one thing in common, we believe in targets for unemployment in this great state of ours,” she told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’ll leave the Labor Party to their own internal fight.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been calling for the borders with her northern neighbours to open for some time, saying it was causing unnecessary harm.
“It’s a very difficult time for people in this region … especially when the border closer is completely unnecessary,” Ms Berejiklian told media on Tuesday.
As to whether NSW would open its borders to Victoria, Ms Berejiklian said the state had a test ahead of them before any easings could take place.
“We want to open that border [with Victoria] as soon as we can but what is really important to us is to see what happens once the Government eases restrictions down there. That’s the real test,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Health and Fitness | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site