‘Border vendetta defaming my name’

A health worker in a Victorian quarantine hotel for breaching border restrictions claims she is facing “defamatory” social media attacks.

Tweed radiology worker and mum Gemma Mai has been in quarantine in Melbourne since flying to the state on Monday. She was detained for having been in NSW within the past 14 days.

Ms Mai lives in NSW a block away from the Gold Coast and Queensland border. She has said she mistakenly thought she would be OK to get into Victoria because she had stayed in a Gold Coast hotel before departure, but she is cut off from returning to her job and 11-year-old son, who is staying with his grandparents.

She said on Tuesday the experience in Victoria made her feel “like a criminal”.

Now the former Miss Supercars finalist claims she is considering legal action against “a mate’s ex-girlfriend” after social media comments.

Their bickering includes screenshot messages between Ms Mai and the friend referencing travel plans, as well as claims Ms Mai was “well aware” of Victorian rules.

“She has hacked (my friend’s) phone and shared his messages with me all over the place,” Ms Mai said. “I’ve finally got in touch with him and told him he needs to contact police.

“She thinks there’s something going on with me and him and has this vendetta.”

Ms Mai said her case was under review by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

“I’m in no way trying to get my five minutes of fame, I’m trying to get my voice heard along with the four other people in the same situation.”