March 29, 2022
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has hinted the current mandate forcing Show Societies to limit attendances to people who are fully vaccinated could change in the near future.
The Premier gave a clue to the State Government’s thinking this week in response to a question on notice posed by Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett.
Mr Bennett drew attention to a recent report by the Burnett Sub-Chamber of Agricultural Societies which noted that of the 20 shows planned by that Sub-Chamber for the first quarter of 2022, three had been cancelled and nine postponed because of the mandate.
He then asked if the Premier would commit to a review of the specific requirements for shows and showgrounds as a matter of urgency “to reassure rural communities that their shows can proceed as planned”.
In her response, Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic had been very successful, but the public health response had now shifted from COVID elimination to managing ongoing transmission in the community.
“I can confirm that all public health directions and restrictions, including vaccination requirements in place for showgrounds and other similar venues, are subject to ongoing, regular reviews by the Chief Health Officer who considers their appropriateness in light of the changing epidemiological and public health context,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“Should the Chief Health Officer consider certain restrictions are no longer required in response to the current public health risk, including any public health measures applying to particular settings, they will be revoked.”
Last week the South Burnett Regional Council voted to join a protest led by the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Shows against current COVID-19 restrictions placed on ag shows by the State Government.
The Council said it would write to the Deputy Premier, Chief Health Officer and the Local Government Association of Queensland to ask that ag shows be treated the same as any other activity run at a showground .
Failing that, the Council would like the State Government set an attendance cap on showgrounds similar to the current cap on stadiums.
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