‘I’m not going to cop this negativity’

QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she will not “cop” any negativity about the Gold Coast film industry, which is creating local jobs, as the state recorded two new cases of COVID-19 overnight.

One case is a returned overseas traveller in hotel quarantine, the other a known contact from the Corrective Services cluster who is also in quarantine.

Ms Palaszczuk defended the local film industry ramping up, saying while other parts of the world are experiencing additional waves of coronavirus, Queensland is in a stronger health and economic position.

“We’re able to support the industry and get people back into work.

“There are a whole lot of jobs that rely on that industry,” she told reporters on Sunday.

She said they included food deliveries, carpenters, set designers and make-up artists.

Ms Palaszczuk noted when Melbourne was having its second wave, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was on the Gold Coast “talking about how good the film industry is”.

“I’m not going to cop this negativity on one hand about the industry, which is supporting local Gold Coast jobs.”

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed Hollywood actor Tom Hanks was quarantining in a hotel, not a house, and other people had been flown into NSW from Los Angeles — but no one was talking about that.

Queensland has 19 active cases. So far, six have died from the virus in Queensland, the last being a male cruise ship passenger, 83, on April 18.

Queensland will accept travellers from Canberra from September 25. The state will increase its weekly intake of returning Australians by 500.