'What a joke': Queensland Premier savaged over Suncorp Stadium crowd
Queenslanders were left gobsmacked on Sunday when a crowd of over 13,000 was allowed at Suncorp Stadium just one day after the state's snap lockdown ended.
All parts of Queensland came out of lockdown over the weekend after cases of the highly contagious Delta strain, and the Alpha strain, were detected in the state's southeast.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told Queenslanders on Sunday that they're not entirely out of the woods, but new figures are promising.
"It appears everything is under control at this point in time so we are very, very relieved about that," Ms Palaszczuk said as she reminded people in areas that were locked down to keep wearing masks.
Authorities initially reported just two new cases on Sunday - one involving the Alpha strain linked to a cluster associated with a Greek community centre and a Portuguese restaurant, the other acquired overseas and detected in hotel quarantine.
But late on Sunday a third case was added - another case of local transmission linked to that same cluster. It will be formally included in Monday's case numbers.
So it was particularly confronting for some Queenslanders to see such a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium for the Brisbane Broncos' clash with Cronulla on Sunday afternoon.
Over 13,000 fans turned up to watch the match - with no restrictions placed on the size of the crowd allowed.
Many were left fuming that the NRL was allowed such a big crowd when restrictions remain on the size of weddings, funerals and live music gigs.
So confusing, so frustrating and sick to death of sport getting priority. The last State of Origin, you had to wear masks walking in and out of Suncorp. After being in Caxton street crowd for hours and then being able to cheer inside while watching the game!
— Toni (@stcam) July 3, 2021
I think the most dangerous place right now is Suncorp Stadium, half the crowd aren’t wearing masks one day out of lockdown, footy events are ok though, can’t catch Covid there #doublestandards
— Janet Sanchez (@jansanch11) July 4, 2021
Double standards with a double backflip and pike!
And of course, all with the "best" advice.— Canyons (@Contraprops) July 4, 2021
Shouldn't the last one say "Stay home - except when going to a major sporting event"?
What a joke!— Andrew Cole (@ajcole_hendra) July 4, 2021
Going to the Broncos match at Suncorp Stadium seems contrary to Nos 2, 4 and 6.#Auspol #Covid19
— Incident Alerts (@Incident_Alerts) July 4, 2021
Maybe take your own advice!! Have a look at Suncorp today!!
— Paul (@pfholder) July 4, 2021
Telling people to stay home, but you allow a crowd at Suncorp Stadium, makes it all a bit of a farce really. https://t.co/qnzpUjhZFX
— Mr Grumpy Eel 🥃🥩🥓🇦🇺 (@ParraleticEel) July 4, 2021
How can you allowed full crowd at suncorp but nothing much at rest of the places it is shameful and money talks
— Ricky Singh (@Rickyrai9393) July 3, 2021
Absolutely disgraceful you're allowing a capacity crowd at Suncorp this afternoon for the Broncos game and yet still have a cap on funerals and weddings. Not to mention the hardship businesses are going through with these ridiculous restrictions.
Utterly disgusting.— yeetyeetman (@yeetyeetman3) July 3, 2021
Chief Health Officer defends decision over Suncorp crowd
There was similar anger when the Queensland government allowed a capacity crowd of 52,000 attend Game II of the State of Origin series at Suncorp last week - just one day before the lockdown was announced.
With the case added late on Sunday, Queensland currently has 47 active cases.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young was confident enough with the situation to let Sunday's match between the Broncos and Sharks proceed at Suncorp Stadium without crowd restrictions.
She said the game was ticketed and all attendees could be easily traced, with everyone forced to check in on arrival, and there's never been a coronavirus outbreak at any Queensland stadium.
"I am as comfortable as I can be that they are no riskier - in fact, I think safer than a lot of our indoor venues," she said.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli said Sunday's numbers were very welcome but small and family-owned businesses continue to hurt, especially during a lockdown and in the immediate aftermath.
He's repeated demands for the premier to immediately stump up money for smaller operators, saying Queensland was on its own in terms of refusing to provide that support.
"Businesses are prepared to accept the health advice for the greater good but when a decision is taken beyond their control, they need to know they don't have to carry the full burden all on their own," he said.
Lockdown orders lifted for Brisbane and Moreton Bay at 6pm on Saturday and a day earlier for nine other local government areas in the southeast, Townsville, and Magnetic and Palm islands.
with AAP
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