IT’S TIME TO LET PEOPLE IN THAT ARE IN NEED

THE fixation on stopping Covid-19’s new Delta variant entering Queensland, without using common sense, is getting beyond a joke. Yes, we want to stop the spread of the pandemic, that’s a given, but when the rules are all over the shop from one week to the next it makes it very hard for people not to get frustrated.

On Friday night we had the tragic death of Walter Newton.

The 60-year-old was killed in an horrific crash.

Mr Newman’s son, Walter junior, was also hospitalised from the crash and like any good daughter, Maddie Newton wanted to come to Townsville to grieve and be by the side of her injured brother.

But because Maddie is living in Melbourne the Queensland government would not let Maddie in without quarantining,

She is currently stuck in Brisbane while her brother languishes in hospital.

Now, the son of Mr Newton’s de facto partner, Stephanie Bagaric, wants permission to enter Queensland too.

...He has been put in a queue

He wants to be by the side of his grieving mother,

He has also been put in a queue. The crazy thing is that both of these people have been vaccinated.

Haven’t we been told by officials that having a vaccination would be a passport to travel and cross borders?

It’s the only way life can get back to normal.

Already too many people are vaccine hesitant. If the government stood up and said: “Yes, anyone who has had a vaccine can travel to Queensland,” it would be good for the rollout.

Even if it was for exceptional circumstances, like the death of a loved one, it would send a positive message.

The other thing we need is for our three local members to stand up and tell us what they think on this issue.

“No comment, we will leave it to Queensland Health,” doesn’t cut it.