Palaszczuk ‘doubles down’ on PCR ‘political win’

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has “doubled down” on claims of a political win on the issue of $150 PCR tests, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.

“I acknowledge that the costs were high for families, but in Queensland if you were going to other states the tests were free, and it’s great now that the Commonwealth has recognised that it can be free for people coming into Queensland,” she said on Wednesday afternoon.

“These PCR tests are not just required for Queensland, they are required for other jurisdictions but Queensland was singled out.

“I’m sick of this, I’m sick of Queensland being singled out.”

Mr Clennell said the Queensland Premier’s previous backflipping on PCR testing confused a lot of people.

“Essentially, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk told everyone visiting Queensland they would have to pay $150 for a rapid PCR test. Over several days, the Queensland Premier has got in a muddle on this issue,” Mr Clennell said.

“She’s now backed down and said you can get a normal PCR test from your normal drive-through centre if you want to travel to Queensland.

“Those tests are funded 50-50 by the states and Commonwealth, so either way the Queensland Government will not be paying anything because it will be the NSW or Victorian or ACT governments that are effectively paying for the test.

“Nevertheless the Queensland Premier has confused a lot of people and then last night claimed the status quo as a victory, perplexing the federal Health Minister today.

“The difference is you can now show a text message rather than the COVID certificate Palaszczuk originally seemed to propose that takes an hour and costs $150 often accessible at international airports.”