Queensland premier apologises after backlash over flood decision
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk apologised to parents in the state's southeast after heavy backlash over her decision to close schools on Friday.
Following torrential rain, which resulted in disastrous flash flooding, the premier told parents from Brisbane's north to Bundaberg to pick up their children from school as soon as it was safe to do so.
On Friday, state schools in the southeast region of Queensland were only open to children of essential workers, with the premier siting "unstable weather conditions" as the reason for the closures.
Online, several people expressed disbelief over the announcement as the weather had cleared.
"I could eat my words in a few hours… but I can’t believe they closed all schools in SE Queensland today for a storm… and it hasn’t rained a drop all night," one person said on Twitter.
"So glad Queensland schools were closed today for *checks window* some light cloud cover," another said.
"Looks Premier Chook in Qld is flexing her anticipated expanded emergency powers. Just closed all schools again today and tomorrow. Sun shining. Expect more of this. It’s governing dictator style," a third wrote.
So glad Queensland schools were closed today for *checks window* some light cloud cover. 🤦🏼♀️
— Jen Dudley-Nicholson (@jendudley) March 3, 2022
'If you were in my shoes you'd make the same decision': Premier
The weather warnings for the region were downgraded on Friday, prompting the premier to issue an apology to all those who were inconvenienced.
"I think everybody would realise, if you were in my shoes and you are given the advice that was given to us yesterday, I think everyone would have taken exactly the same decision," she said on Friday morning.
"But I do acknowledge there has been some inconvenience today for parents, but safety has to come first."
Ms Palaszczuk added that she was acting on advice which said there was going to be severe thunderstorms, which did not eventuate.
The premier also apologise for any miscommunication over the announcement.
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All schools are set to reopen from Monday, except for 64 state and 76 non-state schools damaged by floodwaters.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast rain in Brisbane until Thursday next week.
On Thursday night, police found the body of a man after the catastrophic floods in southeast Queensland, taking the state's death toll to 10.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says the 53-year-old's body was found under a wharf at the Port of Brisbane on Thursday night, four days after he was last seen in a small aluminium boat on the Brisbane River at Murrarie.
"All of these deaths are flood-related, some completely unexpected, where water has risen very, very quickly in areas that we're not used to," Ms Carroll told reporters on Friday.
"So over the next few days as the showers, and storms, and rain continues, please be aware of that flash flooding, be aware of your circumstances."
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