Miles claims Fydenberg ‘caught in a lie’ over Qld’s request for ADF support

Steven Miles has on Thursday morning released correspondence in which he says prove that Josh Frydenberg is “lying” about Queensland failing to request an extension of ADF support at the borders.

Mr Miles is now demanding Mr Frydenberg apologise for furthering an ongoing “war on the border restrictions”.

Read Next

According to Mr Miles, Mr Frydenberg on Thursday morning said the Queensland Government had not asked for additional ADF support, claiming the Deputy Premier was lying.

Speaking on 4BC, Mr Frydenberg was asked whether the Federal Government had “deliberately pulled the Australian Defence Force off (Queensland’s) borders to try and damage their border policy.”

In response, Mr Frydenberg said “that sounds like rubbish.”

“I mean, seriously, we have used the Defence Force to support the states at every opportunity … We’ve deployed them in multiple states to help the states deal with whether it’s the quarantine issues, whether it’s testing and tracing, whether it’s logistics,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“Just like during the bush fires, our Defence Force have done a remarkable job to help the community through a crisis.”

In response to Mr Frydenberg’s “conjecture”, Mr Miles distributed correspondence between the Deputy Commissioner and the Lieutenant General where Steve Gollschewski “explicitly asked” the ADF to ensure “adequate resources” and support to continue at the state’s borders until October 19.

Mr Miles said the army had written back to say “ADF support to Queensland border operations will conclude on September 30 as previously advised.”

A letter from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it “clear we would support the army’s ongoing support,” Mr Miles said.

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed on Thursday morning she had not received a response.

“In the time of a global pandemic, it would have been wonderful to see even more co-operation with the Federal Government,” she said.

“I believe the co-operation shown at the border between Queensland Police and the ADF has been first class.

“It’s very disappointing.”

Mr Miles said he wanted Mr Frydenberg to apologise.

“This is yet another example of a federal government minister being sent out by the Prime Minister to attack our government in the local media here in Queensland being caught out in a lie,” he said.

“Josh Frydenberg should apologise for the statements he made.

“It’s time for the Federal Government to stop using the ADF – which is for all Australians – as a bargaining chip in their war against our restrictions.”

Read Next