Good doctor reads from wrong script
I DISAGREE with columnist
Shari Tagliabue, who chastised us regarding the criticism of the Palaszczuk government permitting NRL officials, wives, girlfriends, children and God knows who else into the state because it’s football, while refusing little kids back in (TB 4/9/21).
She claimed that we are happy allowing other celebrities in without adverse comment.
Shari, as you know, that is untrue. There have been consistent hostile responses to various sundry celebrities granted seemingly free entry/exit to Queensland.
Dr Young justified it, saying celebrities and sporting stars bring money into the state. Nothing about health, just money for the state coffers.
This is the chief health officer who in March last year closed all the schools to protect the health of the people. Then, incredibly, she was quoted in the Brisbane Times 30/4/20: “If you go out to the community and say, ‘this is so bad, we can’t even have schools, all schools have got to be closed’, you are really getting to people,” Dr Young says. “So sometimes it’s more than just the science and the health, it’s about the messaging.”
I remember countless press conferences when Premier Palaszczuk and Dr Young feigned sincerity at the cameras saying in response to criticism from federal and other states’ health consultants, that they were following the best health advice available. It would seem not.
Ms Palaszczuk has finally backed down over her NRL blunder after the severe backlash, saying it was not the best “optic” (huh?). You’re right there. In fact, it was a damned hypocritical move and at the very least, politically inept.
At the same time, letting everyone remotely attached to the NRL into the state while blocking residents trying to get back to their homes before they go broke, or die, is cold-heartedly cynical. Suitable hotel accommodation was never a problem for the NRL mob.
Meanwhile the Premier finally found a niggardly 50 rooms to allow a few more people back in. As John Anderson pointed out, the tourism is begging for guests, so what is their problem with hotel vacancies (TB 4/9/21)?
Dr Young also backed the Premier wanting everyone in the state vaccinated, which is ludicrous considering her strident anti-astrazeneca opposition. At another press conference on
3/9/21, she denied her decisions were based on politics. I beg to differ and question her suitability to be the next State Governor.
The Premier has demonstrated her determination to keep Queensland in isolation from the rest of the world, come hell or high water. She is distorting modelling, trying to scare the gullible by claiming that if the Delta variant took hold in Queensland there would be thousands of deaths every month. Her spin doctors must have worked overtime twisting that one out of the hat. Ms Palaszczuk sank to another low saying that the children under 12 must be vaccinated. She and Dr Young know full well that children have relatively minor symptoms, because they are both aware there isn’t a vaccine for these kids anywhere in the world.
We will inevitably get the Delta strain here so we must be prepared to deal with it. Diligently signing in with codes, or on paper, handwashing, social distancing and masks, if required, are small prices to save lives. Leave the two women to play their selfish political games.
JEFF WILLIAMS, Condon.
RESPECTFUL VAD DEBATE
On the very day the Premier called for her parliamentary colleagues to have a “respectful debate” on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill, the Member for Thuringowa comes out with a highly political letter in the Townsville Bulletin throwing aspersions at the Katter triumvirate, the Member for Burdekin and the Opposition Leader.
This was a highly personalised and political attack that comes straight out of the political sewer.
The Member for Thuringowa should dwell on his leader’s words when she said, “We’ve had a respectful debate in the community about voluntary assisted dying and I’m asking the parliament to also have a respectful debate.”
There are many in the community who, due to religious, personal or professional beliefs, find themselves unable to support the Bill – particularly in relation to concerns that, as it presently stands, the proposed legislation does not provide for faith-based hospitals and healthcare providers to stop assisted dying from occurring at their facilities – regardless of whether the institutions hold fundamental objections. And that includes many in his own electorate.
The Member for Thuringowa needs to get back into the hole he hides in when serious issues such as youth crime and adhere to the words of his leader.