Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has accused Residence Affairs Minister Peter Dutton of “mendacity” about how Hollywood star Tom Hanks entered Australia to movie a film.
The row began as a result of the actor was granted an exemption from Queensland’s strict border guidelines and entered the state from America on Tuesday evening.
Hanks had already contracted COVID-19 in Queensland when he was filming a film there in March.
The American star together with 11 household, workers, solid and crew have been allowed entry into Queensland final week so filming of an Elvis Presley biopic, directed by Baz Luhrmann, may proceed.
That didn’t sit nicely with Mr Dutton, who attacked the Queensland authorities on Friday.
“If you’re Tom Hanks from California, you’re OK,” he mentioned.
“If you’re Tom Hanks from Chermside or Fortress Hill, sorry, you aren’t coming in, even to your brother’s funeral or your dying daughter.
“It’s simply unacceptable.”
However Mr Miles hit again on Saturday, saying it was Peter Dutton – the federal minister answerable for borders – who had allowed Hanks’ entry.
“Non-residents coming to Australia have to be permitted to return right here by Border Drive,” he mentioned.
“And what meaning is that when Peter Dutton launched that extraordinary assault in the course of the week, he was mendacity.
“He was saying that it was us that permit Tom Hanks in, when in truth it was him and his personal division that permit Tom Hanks in.
“I believe Peter Dutton owes our Premier and our chief well being officer an apology.”
Tom Hanks and the abroad’ solid and crew members are now in hotel quarantine on the Gold Coast at their very own expense.
Hanks performs Elvis’s supervisor, Colonel Tom Parker, within the big-budget film scheduled for launch in 2021.
Queensland has copped criticism from the Prime Minister and different authorities figures for holding its borders closed with strict guidelines – however letting in Tom Hanks and the Elvis film crew, and 400 AFL workers, executives and households.
Queensland chief well being officer Jeannette Younger raised eyebrows on Thursday when she mentioned the ritzy Hollywood set and AFL gamers didn’t need to comply with the identical guidelines as everyone else as a result of “we’d like each single greenback in our state”.
“I’ve given exemptions from folks in leisure and movie as a result of that’s bringing some huge cash into this state,” she mentioned.
After that remark, Prime Minister Scott Morrison informed Sky Information on Friday he may perceive why common folks have been pissed off the foundations didn’t apply to celebrities.
He made the feedback after the heartbreaking case of Sarah Caisip, who wasn’t in a position to attend her father’s funeral as a result of she was nonetheless in resort quarantine in Queensland.
Ms Caisip was finally allowed to see her father in his coffin however beneath police guard and with none household current.
“Effectively I believe that’s why folks have been so pissed off at this time, after they see double requirements,” Mr Morrison mentioned.
“Queenslanders are fair-minded folks. I do know, I’m certain the overwhelming majority of Queenslanders would assist the border being in place. That’s why it’s not about that … Queenslanders are very fair-minded folks too, and I believe that is what would offended them, the double requirements which are there.”
Mr Miles defended the chief well being officer’s feedback on Saturday.
“I believe the remark she was making was that the place there are industries that make an vital financial contribution, that maintain folks in jobs, it’s vital to work with them to make sure they’ll proceed to function as a lot as attainable in a COVID-safe manner,” he mentioned.
“Simply as she has for sources, for agriculture, for freight, for an entire big selection of industries.”
The Division of Residence Affairs has been contacted for remark.
