Queensland says federal withdrawal of army unfair as accusations fly over 'political' border policy

The withdrawal of Australian Defence Force troops on October 1 will come a day after Queensland opens to more than 150,000 extra NSW residents when a border bubble is widened.

Motorists are stopped at a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland-New South Wales border.

Motorists are stopped at a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland-New South Wales border. Source: AAP

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is urging the federal government to retain ADF troops on Queensland's border until mid-October like they will be for NSW, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Australian Defence Force deployments will be withdrawn from Queensland on September 30, the day before 152,000 extra NSW residents will be able to enter the northern state.
Ms Palaszczuk says her state is being singled out as troops will remain on the borders of NSW, South Australia and the Northern Territory until October 19.

"I urge the Commonwealth to reconsider and treat Queensland like everyone else; stop singling Queensland out," the premier said on Friday.

Tensions between federal and state ahead of Queensland election

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said it was easy to forget the ADF troops were not only on the NSW border but processing domestic air arrivals from NSW and Victoria.

He also took the opportunity to respond to federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton calling on him to "grow up" and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg labelling him a "stumbling, bumbling, lightweight".

The coalition frontbenchers both lashed out at Dr Miles for claiming on Thursday Mr Frydenberg was "lying" about the circumstances for the troop withdrawal.

"They can call me all the names in the world they want to but that's not going to affect my resolve or Queenslanders' resolve," he said on Friday.

'Who do you think is making it political?'

Mr Dutton has described the Queensland border closure policy as politically driven, saying it is being motivated more by the state Labor government's re-election strategy than medical advice.

Dr Miles said he rejected Mr Dutton's characterisation of the state's border policy, saying it has reduced the transmission of COVID-19 in the state.

"When Peter Dutton comes out, calls me names, says he doesn’t support our borders, he might think he is just talking about NSW, but those border restrictions are also in place for Victoria.

"And yet they happily continue to provide defence force support to NSW with the Victorian border, to the Northern Territory who don’t have a border with Victoria."
Ahead of next month's election, Labor holds a two-seat majority and the LNP primary vote is growing.

Mr Miles instead accused the federal government of playing politics ahead of the Queensland election.

"So you really need to put to them questions about why Queensland is so different? Why the army is being withdrawn from Queensland and not from those other states? Why do we have this conga line of Morrison government ministers every day on every program out there attacking me, attacking Queensland, attacking our restrictions that have been so successful.

"And the only difference is that we have an election coming up. So who do you think is making it political?"

Restrictions relaxed

Queensland has gone 15 days without a new case of community-transmitted COVID-19 and has only five active cases.

Two new cases have merged on a ship off the coast of Cape York near Weipa but aren't yet included in the state's active count as they haven't officially entered Queensland.

"We will count them as soon as they're on shore," Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said.

Queensland further relaxed restrictions on social-distancing for outdoor venues on Friday.

People will only have to stay two metres apart at outdoor restaurants, beer gardens, theme parks and zoos.
The maximum number of people allowed at events with COVID-safe checklists will increase from 500 to 1000.

Meanwhile, stadiums, amphitheatres and performance venues with COVID-safe plans will be allowed to increase capacity from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.

The changes for stadiums come as Queensland gears up to host the AFL grand final at Brisbane's Gabba on October 24.

From Friday, authorities will allow 30 people to gather without a COVID-safe plan and visits to aged care homes and hospitals.

As well, ACT resident can now fly to Queensland without having to go into quarantine.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.


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Source: AAP, SBS


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