The Tasmanian Government’s immediate priority is ensuring we can reduce the risk of COVID-19 entering Tasmania and affecting our wider community and local economy.
To help us achieve that, we have strong border measures in place to manage arrivals from high-risk areas.
Applications to enter Tasmania are managed at arm’s length from Ministers and all decisions are made by the Deputy State Controller or her delegate.
Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt’s comments describing the system as ‘shambolic’ and ‘unacceptable’ are disappointing, to say the least.
I am advised that the delay in a Council staff member’s entry application being approved was because, unfortunately, it did not provide sufficient evidence to enable her entry to be fully assessed which required further follow-up from the State Control Centre (SCC).
The appropriate supporting evidence has now been provided to enable her application to be fully assessed and approval has recently been granted to enable her to travel to Tasmania and enter into hotel quarantine, following which she will be able to commence in her role in person.
I am advised the SCC will contact the applicant in the coming days to arrange for her hotel quarantine placement.
Rather than trying to politicise our border entry requirements in search of a headline, Ms. Wriedt should deal with the facts next time or pick up the phone to seek advice.