Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

If you could excuse my passion for this subject, Queenslanders are truly outraged at the comments of our Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

There appeared to be no awareness of how cruel the original comments appeared, especially in the context of the most recent tragedy. As reported by the ABC, when reporters asked Premier Palaszczuk whether she regretted her earlier choice of words—and I'm going to give the full quotation so it cannot be alleged that I've taken these words out of context, so the full quotation will be on the record of this place—Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said:

No, because these are really difficult decisions and … people deserve the best health care, and … if they can get the health care locally, then that is good. If it is an emergency or if we have the expertise, of course we will do that.

As I said, I have provided the full context of the Premier's response. I'm not selectively quoting from Premier Palaszczuk, because I want her own words to be judged in their entirety. Premier Palaszczuk's words and related commentary from the Queensland health minister Dr Steven Miles did not reflect the reality of the situation. In the face of tragedy, when the appalling result of the Queensland Labor government's mismanagement of this issue was laid bare for all to see, the Queensland Labor government reverted to what it does best: blame shifting and spin. It must have been the fault of someone else. The New South Wales health authorities had got it all wrong. Of course Queensland would have helped.

To that, I have three responses. First, if emergency assistance was available in this situation without a bureaucratic process, why was that not clearly spelt out in the Queensland government's own health directive? I have it here: Border restrictions Direction (No. 12). There is no reference to emergency health care. In fact, paragraph 35, the provisions relating to health care, speaks of the need to schedule appointments. Since the date of its publication, the Queensland government has had to set up a new unit and a new hotline to deal with these issues.

Second, if there was some informal understanding outside of the health directive or if it went without saying that help would be provided by Queensland, why were the health authorities in northern New South Wales unaware of it? Surely, in the height of a pandemic, this is a key piece of information? Was there no communication, or did the health authorities in New South Wales simply act in accordance with what was the true situation?

Third, above all else, what message did the Queensland Labor Premier think her rhetoric would convey? Words matter. Cruel words lacking empathy matter even more, and Premier Palaszczuk's words sent a message that the people of New South Wales should seek assistance from their own hospitals. When given the chance to demonstrate contrition—any contrition to clarify and to soften the message—Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said no. As the Leader of the Opposition in Queensland, Ms Deb Frecklington, said:

This is absolutely tragic.

My heart bleeds for the family and everything they have been put through.

When it comes to medical emergencies and border exemptions, the Premier needs to be more compassionate and consistent—not have one rule for the rich and another rule for everyday Australians.

That reflects the views of millions of my fellow Queenslanders. That statement by the Leader of the Opposition in Queensland, Ms Deb Frecklington, is a true articulation of our Queensland values.