PAIN IS FAR FROM OVER

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk’s sleepless nights, brought on by the dread of a COVID-19 wildfire taking hold in this state, look set to continue.

But no one can say Ms Palaszczuk has not held the line in her tough stance in protecting Queenslanders from the ravages of a killer disease.

The Bulletin has not always agreed with her throughout this pandemic.

We continue to urge her and her NSW counterpart to find a solution to the strict border controls that have split the Gold Coast-Tweed community, with the pain about to ramp up again this weekend.

Along with tourism, business and community leaders, we implored her also to think of the economy and saving jobs.

However, we appreciate she has had to walk a tightrope in responding to the challenges tossed up by a problem that began overseas and spread at a rate that many nations have struggled to contain.

In the US, the number of deaths passed 150,000 on Thursday. Victoria revealed a record high number of 723 new cases and 13 more deaths. In Queensland, the jitters returned as three new cases were recorded and public outrage continued over a group of young women who lied to cover up a trip to Melbourne. Two have tested positive.

The unfair irony will be that if a second wave that threatens to get away from governments and health authorities down south takes hold here, voters will punish the Palaszczuk Government at the October election.

The State Government might deserve to be punted for several reasons, but certainly not for failing to protect its people – yet a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in Queensland could achieve what an ordinary LNP Opposition has been unable to do.

If it were to happen, the finger of blame should properly be levelled at the Andrews Labor Government in Victoria, which has stumbled from one blunder to the next in its handling of the pandemic.

The NSW Coalition Government should also shoulder a burden of responsibility, having allowed a host of infected cruise ship passengers out into the community in the early days of this crisis.

With Queensland debt already soaring before the pandemic, integrity scandals, an over-sized public service and, on the Gold Coast in particular, increasing crime, drug problems, and a failure to address Child Safety and homeless issues, the State Government was on the nose.

Its main hope was the LNP with its uninspiring leadership, several underperforming MPs – including on the Gold Coast – settled too comfortably in safe conservative seats, and damaging internal squabbles here and in Brisbane.

The Premier might believe her tough stand in staring down the virus and other states will shore up her stocks. Or she might see herself as a Joan of Arc, having fought valiantly as she risks a political pyre.

But history shows Queenslanders do not reward strong leadership in a crisis.

Anna Bligh’s government was shown the door despite its handling of the 2011 floods and the then premier’s inspirational “Queenslanders” speech.

Ms Palaszczuk has hard decisions and many sleepless nights ahead.