'We won't be bullied': Queensland's stern message to PM
Queensland’s health minister has declared the state “won’t be bullied” into reopening its borders as Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits the state ahead of the election.
Mr Morrison joined Liberal National Party leader Deb Frecklington on the hustings on the Gold Coast on the fifth day of the campaign on Saturday.
The visit to the Sunshine State comes after Mr Morrison heaped fresh scorn on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this week, questioning if Queensland was "for jobs or not" over her decision to keep the border shut.
He's been campaigning against the restrictions across broadcast media, claiming they are aren’t compassionate to families and damaging the economy.
But health minister and deputy premier Steven Miles told reporters on Saturday he’s tired of “people trying to use individual stories” to criticise the state’s restrictions.
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“Frankly I'm a bit sick and tired,” Mr Miles said.
“And so I want to say no matter who you are, Scott Morrison, the LNP, Clive Palmer, we're not going to be bullied by these campaigns, we are going to stick to our guns.
“We are going to stay strong and we're going to keep Queenslanders safe.
“We are going to keep doing what we have done, because it has been just so successful.”
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese also criticised the prime minister on Friday and questioned why other states haven’t been under more scrutiny over border policy.
"If you look at Queensland's economy, as well as Western Australia's, it is a fact that the economies that have been doing the best during this difficult period are ones that have made difficult decisions," the Labor leader told ABC radio on Friday.
"Tasmania's border, they announced a long time ago now, would be closed until the first of December ... and we haven't heard one word of criticism by anyone from the Liberal and National parties about that."
Queensland recorded one new case of Covid-19 on Saturday.
Queenslanders hit the polls on October 31.
with AAP
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