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The Westin has been one of the Brisbane hotels being used for quarantine throughout the pandemic.Credit:Toby Crockford

After saying the NSW and federal Coalition governments were “chock-full of crazies” yesterday for their management of the pandemic and economy,Mr Dick has again spoken in Parliament about the success of the state’s tough border restrictions,as it recorded another day without COVID-19 in the community.

Responding to comments to News Corp by Senator Cash – a senior West Australian member of the Morrison government,whose own Premier isholding the hardest line against easing border restrictions once 70 or 80 per cent vaccination targets are met – Mr Dick again said his state would not “run up the white flag”.

Senator Cash was reported to have said the Commonwealth was not considering court action itself and would not jeopardise the four-stage national plan.

Mr Palmer’s 2020 bid to declare the WA closure unconstitutional was joined by the Commonwealth,but it failed after the closure was deemed to be a proportionate health response. Senator Cash has said this defence would fall away as vaccination rates climbed.

Treasurer Cameron Dick has accused the federal government of “egging on” a fresh border closure court battle by Clive Palmer.Credit:Matt Dennien

“Today we hear the federal Attorney-General Michaelia Cash egging on cranks like Clive Palmer to attack our border controls in the High Court,” Mr Dick said. “Everybody knows the Morrison government does not believe in border controls,that’s why they backed Clive Palmer’s challenge the first time all the way to the High Court. We can see it happening again.

“My message to Scott Morrison and the LNP:stop conspiring with Clive Palmer,and stop tolerating cranks like George Christensen and Matt Canavan,Queenslanders who would let the virus in and let the virus rip.”

Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party hasalready begun a federal election campaign driven by himself and former Liberal MP Craig Kelly’s controversial views over the handling of the pandemic.

Speaking earlier in Parliament,Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland had now weathered 16 potential outbreaks since June,and she stressed the need to try to keep the virus out of the state,adding “no one pretends” it will stay out.

But after facing pressure over a decision to allow the travel of acharter flight carrying NRL families and officials from Sydney into a league-hired hotel bubble,Ms Palaszczuk said the state would start reopening hotel quarantine from interstate hotspots.

“Numbers in hotel quarantine hotels have only slightly eased,so we can offer places to 50 families as a start,and we will add more places as rooms become available,” she said.

The state announced the pause on arrivals from NSW,Victoria and the ACT last Wednesday with two hours’ notice. Those already approved to travel under right-of-entry provisions for residents,and those moving to the state,weretold they would need to reapply under a to-be-established booking system.

In a later statement,Ms Palaszczuk said rooms would be allocated to those “prioritised” for early entry,who would be contacted by officials.

Others whose border passes were cancelled will be able to reapply from Monday. But those relocating to the state will need to provide proof of employment or a change of their residential status.

Asked whether the pressure still being placed on hotel quarantine by arrivals within a 10 per cent variance allowed above the international arrival cap could mean a delay in a full resumption of right-of-entry domestic arrivals,Deputy Premier Steven Miles said people would be allocated arrival days – as requested by police – to ensure these could be managed in an orderly manner.

On the potential of another border closure challenge,he said:“We have defended our borders against High Court challenges from Clive Palmer and Scott Morrison before,and if we have to again to keep Queensland safe,we will do so.”

Next week Queensland will alsobegin a trial of home quarantine to allow boarders from schools in hotspot regions to return to their families in time for the September school holidays.

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