Police want to deport quarantine rule breakers

The Gold Coast city council has erected a 700 metre water barricade through backstreets on the Queensland – New South Wales border in an effort to stop people avoiding checkpoints and crossing the border illegally.

This comes after Queensland Police revealed at least 185 interstate or overseas visitors had disappeared after crossing the border, breaching the Sunshine State’s tough quarantine restrictions.

It is believed the vanishing visitors dodged quarantine orders or gave false addresses and phone numbers.

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Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said it was a privilege to enter Queensland – not a right.

“Should the long arm of the law catch up with them, they should be deported,” Mr Leavers said.

“The punishment should be quite severe. We should ban them from ever coming back to Queensland.”

Since April this year, police have investigated more than 2322 cases of quarantine breaches, with the majority complying to the restrictions of the 14-day period of isolation.

The Courier Mail reported today police investigations found more than 200 could not be found, 125 had left Queensland and returned home during the 14-day quarantine period and 17 were found at another address because of a family breakdown or other personal circumstances.

Figures released to The Courier-Mail found a total of 185 people gave fake contact details when entering Queensland and another 25 were never found at their nominated quarantine address.

Another 35 people were found by police having not quarantined and were issued with $1334 fines.

Mr Leavers said these missing visitors were putting Queenslanders lives at risk and as well as the economy.

“The cost of another outbreak would be catastrophic.

“Let’s strengthen laws to keep these people out. They don’t deserve to be here,” he said.

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