Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has demanded Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk explain why her state's borders are remaining closed as the country moves to ease coronavirus restrictions.
Earlier this week, Queensland's , if not longer.
On Friday morning, Mr Dutton urged the premier to reconsider her position, saying Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says it is already safe to reopen state borders.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Source: AAP
"Just come out and explain where the September date comes from and we can, you know, have a reasonable discussion," he told Today.
"I'm a proud Queenslander, I'm not taking advice from people south of the border at all, but I believe it's in Queensland's best interests, given that we are a mining state, we're a tourism state, and we want to get people back to work."
Mr Dutton went on to say it was not clear why Queensland's chief health officer had spoken about September when Ms Palaszczuk had previously flagged July for a reopening, suggesting Dr Young had "plucked it out of the air" and "dug herself a hole".
NSW, Victoria and the ACT have their borders open, but all other states and territories are maintaining a hardline approach, fearing a second wave of infections.
Federal health authorities are adamant there is no medical reason for borders to remain closed.
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Transport Minister Michael McCormack has also pressured state and territory leaders to lift hardline restrictions, saying the future of domestic airlines could hinge on when they open borders.
"If we do want a domestic airline to continue and to resume very quickly, then one way of doing it is to ease those border restrictions," he told the ABC on Friday.
'Start to live with coronavirus'
The federal ministers' comments follow , claiming it is "unconstitutional".
Senator Hanson doubled down on her intention to pursue legal action on Friday morning, insisting three constitutional lawyers had already reached out and asked to take on the case.
"This isn’t leadership, this is dictatorship, and there’s no clear reason to keep the borders shut," Ms Hanson told Today.
"By midday yesterday, we had about 45 people come forward to be the plaintiff in this action against the Palaszczuk government."
Senator Hanson said it was time to put the economy and Queensland businesses first, telling high-risk people to "live with it".
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is threatening to take the Queensland Government to court. Source: AAP
"If you are in the elderly age bracket, you have respiratory problems, or you have health issues, then I suggest you start looking after your own health and let the rest of the country get back," she said.
"There's no vaccine for the coronavirus, I suggest you actually start to live with it."
Additional reporting by AAP
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