OPINION Stop all incoming international flights until we get COVID-19 under control. That s the harsh but necessary step many believe we must take, and it should have happened yesterday. As fears grow over the highly contagious UK strain that has sent Queensland authorities scrambling for solutions after the Hotel Grand Chancellor quarantine debacle - a cluster in more ways than one - people continue to arrive from overseas. A man on the balcony of Brisbane’s Hotel Grand Chancellor, Spring Hill, during quarantine. Photo: NCA NewsWire/John Gass Many are Australian citizens exercising their legal right to return home, but it s fair to ask, what took them so long? People have had 10 months to get back, with federal government assistance too, yet thousands have passed up seats because the timing didn t suit them.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said she wasn’t aware Jackie Trad was being pushed by Union powerbrokers to make a tilt at federal politics.
It comes after a Sky News report revealed Union powerbrokers are actively canvassing Jackie Trad’s return to federal politics and she has the backing to be preselected this federal election.
When questioned about the possibility, Premier Palaszczuk said she hadn’t heard about it.
“That’s clearly a matter for her,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
She also said she has not been in contact with Ms Trad since she lost her South Brisbane seat at the 2020 Queensland state election.
Federal Labor split on Jackie Trad return Jackie Trad has remained silent on a speculated federal tilt, as Queensland Labor figures warned they did not need to “deal with the Jackie problem”.
Politics by Matthew Killoran, Jessica Marszalek 16th Jan 2021 6:02 AM
Premium Content
Subscriber only POLARISING political figure Jackie Trad remains silent about a speculated federal tilt, as Queensland Labor figures warned they did not need to deal with the Jackie problem . Fears the former Deputy Premer running federally would restart the billboards campaign that dogged the party at the state election and damaged its electoral prospects in the regions have already caused backlash within the party.
Controversial former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad could be making a return to politics sooner than expected, with reports she has been offered a lifeline by the unions. Sky News reports union powerbrokers are canvassing Ms Trad s potential return to politics, at a federal level and has the backing to be preselected this federal election. The Queensland boss of the United Workers Union Gary Bullock released a statement saying if Ms Trad were to return to politics the unions will do whatever to assist that and there are discussions in the unions about her return. I d like to see her in federal politics, I think we need more people of her calibre in federal parliament, Mr Bullock s statement said.
Grounded ministers to save taxpayers thousands as they stay home
We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Dismiss
Normal text size
Advertisement
International border closures have provided a small silver lining for the COVID-hit Queensland budget, with grounded politicians set to save taxpayers thousands of dollars.
Palaszczuk government ministers spent $269,531 on overseas travel in the 12 months to June 30, 2020, according to a public report of ministerial expenses.
International travel is off the cards, with Queensland ministers also prevented from leaving on trade missions.
Credit:Rob Homer
In comparison, ministers spent $534,226 on overseas trips the previous year.