Queensland Health blasted over another compassionate case
Son unable to visit his dying mother due to Queensland’s lack of empathy on border restrictions
The Today Show hosts broke down on live TV this morning after it was revealed Karl Stefanovic’s schoolmate was unable to visit his dying mother due to Queensland’s border restrictions.
Allison Langdon broke down at the news, wiping away her tears with a tissue, while Karl slumped over the desk.
The heartbreaking situation comes a month after Queensland Health was blasted over another compassionate case.
Karl breaks down on air. Source: Channel 9
Mr McCormick had made a mad dash from his home in Canada to try and say his final goodbyes to his Brisbane-based mother dying of cancer.
He spent thousands of dollars in airfares to try and be there for her final moments. But he was held up at the final hurdle, as his mother died last night – just two days into his mandatory two-week long quarantine.
“She was diagnosed three weeks ago when she fell ill. By the time they figured out the prognosis, I was scrambling to get on board (a flight),” he told the Today show.
“I could sit here and bash the system all day long. NSW Health were amazing. They had proactively called me before I even got on my flight, had the exemption plan all laid out and while I was on the flight they actually executed it.
“Queensland Health on the other hand were silent. It wasn’t until I landed and I had to start chasing them up and had to get things moving, I didn’t receive a single phone call from Queensland Health, yet NSW were constantly on the phone to me, calling the hotel room.”
Anthony McCormick is mourning the death of his mother. Picture: the Today Show. Source: news.com.au
“It is supposed to be a compassionate policy. I think these policies are very confusing about what compassion means,” he said.
Thousands sign petition for Annastacia Palaszczuk to be denied travel to Japan
And the Queensland Premier continues to receive backlash, this time regarding her demands on reducing the intake numbers of international travelers by 50% from entering Australia (most of which are Australian’s trying to return home). Whilst in the same week, on the ABC’s Q&A, Annastacia told the panel and audience that she ‘must’ travel to the Tokyo Olympics to help secure the bid for Brisbane to host the 2032 Olympics (even though there are no other countries bidding to host the 2032 Olympics).
“… Upon return, I would do the 14-day quarantine in a hotel, not in my home, not at The Lodge.”
The petition, titled “Deny Annastacia Palaszczuk an exemption to leave Australia to attend the Tokyo Olympics” was soon after created by a small group of stranded Australian’s unable to return home, due to limited spaces in hotel quarantine.
The online petition is asking the Australian Border Force to “deny her the ability” to travel, and has received over 85,000 signatures (at the time of writing this article) in the first 3-days of launching on Change.org.
Many of the signatures and comments have called out the Queensland Premier, labelling her a hypocrite.
The statement made by the creators of the petition reads, “The people of Australia believe the Queensland Government should lead by example. We hereby petition for Annastacia Palaszczuk to be DENIED the right to leave Australia at this time until she increases Hotel Quarantine capacity to such an extent that she will not take up a space that could have gone to a Stranded Australian.”
“Annastacia Palaszczuk should not be allowed to steal a precious hotel quarantine space from a more deserving Stranded Australian trying to return home. DENY her the ability to do so.”
Those who have signed the petition expressed it is “unfair” for politicians to be able to travel freely while denying ordinary Australians the “basic human right”.
Some of the public comments in support of denying Annastacia travel exemption:
“I can’t go see my mum. She can’t come and see her grand kids but Anastasia should be allowed to travel over to watch some Olympic Games, sightsee and be a tourist in Japan. Really?” Writes Angela from QLD.
“Basic leadership by example. QLD’s Olympic bid won’t be hindered by commonsense – Tokyo is currently in an official State of Emergency. The fact a State Premier is even still contemplating this move is incomprehensible.” Posted by Diana.
“Families are waiting to visit their immediate family should be inline before you go to a meeting overseas. No compassion what so ever,” writes Jill.
Brett says, “I could not return to Australia to say goodbye to my dying mother. I could not return for her funeral. I watched her funeral on webcam.”
“One rule for them another for the us. Do a Zoom call like the rest of us,” commented Cameron.
“The incredible double standards that the Qld government has in place,” writes Mark.
“She is a hypocrite, rules for her rules for us,” says Christine.
“Aren’t we all in this together? Politicians need to feel the pain of their poor decisions like we do,” writes Martin.
Sanjeev comments, “It’s disgrace to know the ethics and morality.”
Colin says, “it’s just plain wrong. Until all Australians stuck overseas can get home then politicians should not be able to travel over then jump the que on returning.”
Penny writes, “She’s denied so many tragic situations. So she needs to be denied this.”
“I believe this is an entirely unnecessary trip and sets such a poor example to all the people who are struggling to isolate,” says Mary.
“I wasn’t allowed to see my Dad for his 100th birthday even though at the time NSW and QLD had 0 community transmissions. My kids haven’t seen him in over a year and a half and she wants to go to a country with an explosive COVID outbreak- not fair on any level.” Another comment posted by Amanda.
Palaszczuk played a critical role in Australia’s hotel quarantine places decreasing by 50 percent after several leaks in the system spawned simultaneous outbreaks across the country.
Palaszczuk said the meeting in Tokyo was “very important” and the International Olympic Committee expected her to be in the city along with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and a federal government representative.
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