Isolate return Aussies in Cairns

A PUSH to make Cairns a quarantine hub for Australians returning from overseas has divided opinion as family of stranded residents plead for permission to reunite with loved ones.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch sparked a community debate when he urged Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to ramp up the intake of quarantine travellers in order to fill the city’s empty hotels and increase airport activity.

A Cairns Post poll revealed 58 per cent of readers rejected the proposal, with 42 per cent believing Cairns should become a quarantine city.

Trinity Beach resident Christopher Parker had intended to return home from the UK at the end of July after receiving an exemption request to care for his mother after the death of his father.

His partner Mandy Nielsen said his new date had been pushed back to October 25 – and there still was no guarantee it would be honoured since states’ intake of quarantining Australians was so tight.

Mr Parker has spent thousands of dollars upgrading to business class in hope it could help him be prioritised after he was bumped from three previous flights home.

“The flight says confirmed but it’s usually within 48 hours of leaving that they get the numbers,” Ms Nielsen said.

“He’s flying into Sydney because the numbers NSW are taking in are a lot higher.”

Ms Nielsen, who works in the disability sector, said she supported Queensland’s strong border policy but believed quarantining could be effectively managed in Cairns.

“It’s frustrating that there are two sets of rules – for sports and famous people and another for everyone else.

“I think if people are prepared to pay for flights and quarantine costs, why do we have empty hotels?” she asked.

“I know there has to be security, but they could cost it in. We’ve paid $5000 for flights, if we had to pay that for quarantine then so be it.”