Indigenous COVID restrictions outrageous overkill, says MP
FEDERAL MP Bob Katter has been accused of trying to stay relevant while leading Yarrabah residents on a protest of COVID-19 restrictions, which he described as “outrageous overkill”.
Dozens of demonstrators took to the street at the roadblock leading into the seaside town 52km from Cairns yesterday calling for “freedom” amid mounting frustrations over the tough biosecurity measures.
The Kennedy MP claimed residents of indigenous communities, including Palm Island, were unable to buy essential items and took aim at the State Government.
“They can’t get shoes, underwear or warm blankets. They can’t renew their registration or fix their cars. So why are these people locked up?” he said.
“This is outrageous overkill. It is just another exercise in power, not an effort to look after us.”
But Cairns MP Michael Healy fired back, calling Mr Katter an “ambulance chaser” who was turning the pandemic into a political platform.
He said everyone had been forced to make sacrifices, revealing he was one of only four people at his father’s funeral last week.
The lockdowns have been frustrating Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities, which have been in lockdown since late March.
Palm Island residents were recently given permission to fish in a small area off the coast of the Aboriginal community.
Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said he could understand his community’s frustrations and called for calm while it worked with the State Government for a solution.
All of the state’s indigenous communities remain in lockdown under the Biosecurity Act with only essential workers allowed in and out without having to isolate for a 14-day period.