Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she has had “so many conversations” with the Prime Minister about a regional quarantine centre for Queensland and doesn’t understand why one hasn’t already been built.

Ms Palaszczuk said a regional quarantine centre is needed in Queensland as the state’s hotel system isn’t equipped to deal with a mass outbreak of coronavirus.

“I’ve said time and time again I believe regional quarantine should have been set up over the last year because we know that these COVID strains are mutating overseas and it’s about keeping Queenslanders safe,” Ms Palaszczuk told Today.

Annastacia Palaszczuk told Today she has provided the PM with all details needed for a regional quarantine centre in Queensland. (Today)

Ms Palaszczuk said she has provided all the details needed to get the initiative off the ground and the decision was now in Mr Morrison’s hands.

She said the prime minister would need to increase the threshold for international flights allowed into Queensland, questioning why Victoria was receiving different treatment to Queensland.

“I don’t know what he’s got against Queensland but he seems to be supporting Victoria,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’m just asking him to sit down with his department and get thoroughly briefed – very simple.”

Ms Palaszczuk is calling for a facility similar to the Howard Springs centre in the Northern Territory. (Getty)

Ms Palaszczuk said a regional quarantine centre is needed in Queensland as the state’s hotel system isn’t equipped to deal with a mass outbreak of coronavirus.

“Howard Springs operates with health facilities on their premises and they only move the sickest of patients into a hospital. Our hotels were not designed to be infectious control centres,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’ve been out and about in the community, let me tell you – people support regional quarantine for Australia. Not just Queensland. For Australia.”

On the prime minister’s vaccine passport idea, Ms Palaszczuk said she and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian were on the same page for state travel, saying the upcoming State of Origin would be a good test.

Ms Palaszczuk says she feels Victoria has been given better treatment than Queensland in the coronavirus quarantine stakes.. (9News)

“The State of Origin is coming up soon, so there will be differences there. Let’s put these issues through National Cabinet or perhaps it should go through the federal cabinet in the first case,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“These are really serious issues you just can’t throw out there in the public, you’ve got to give some thought to them.”



This content first appear on 9news

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