Qld public health emergency declaration grants extraordinary powers to CHO

Misunderstood by many in the media & politics is the declaration of a public health emergency in Queensland. It grants extraordinary powers to the Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland President Dr Chris Perry recently explained how the CHO’s directions are law and how they differ to Victoria.

"It's the law." What the panelists on #insiders didn't understand this morning about the powers granted to the Qld CHO during a public health emergency & how that may differ to other states. AMA Qld president Chris Perry explains how it works. #qldpol #auspol pic.twitter.com/LMCkkU2Slx

— David Marler (@Qldaah) September 13, 2020

Professor of IP & Innovation Law at Queensland University of Technology Dr Matthew Rimmer also stated that under section 362b of the Public Health Act 2005, Qld CHO Dr Jeanette Young is granted directions.

https://twitter.com/DrRimmer/status/1305015056535400450

Professor of Law of Politics at the University of Politics, Graeme Orr confirmed some of these special powers.

University of Queensland law professor @Graeme_Orr confirms that under the state’s legislation “only a public health officer can let someone out of quarantine to go to a funeral”. #qldpol #auspol https://t.co/n4HZnjt5Td

— David Marler (@Qldaah) September 14, 2020

Qld CHO Dr Jeanette Young recently confirmed that all hotel quarantine is managed by Qld Health and Qld Police.

Qld CHO Dr Jeannette Young confirms up to five thousand people are currently in hotel quarantine across 24 facilities. Large proportion of those are relocating from Victoria & NSW. All quarantine is managed by Qld Health and Qld Police. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/dGf3ToV5TO

— David Marler (@Qldaah) August 30, 2020

NSW today continued its attack on Queensland.

Pt 2/2: "NSW has led the country." Brad Hazzard won't produce evidence for his claims against Queensland and promotes NSW as the best jurisdiction during the covid-19 pandemic. (Sounds like he has a sniffle there toward the end.) #nswpol #qldpol pic.twitter.com/5ixKD9Cqz1

— David Marler (@Qldaah) October 8, 2020

Queensland Deputy Premier Steve Miles defended the Qld position and defended the CHO.

@StevenJMiles responding to @BradHazzard on why the decisions are medically based, not political. Qld public health act is different to NSW in that special powers are granted to the Qld CHO so that he/she is in charge of decisions for the duration of the pandemic. #qldpol #nswpol pic.twitter.com/a0kENK7hcf

— David Marler (@Qldaah) October 9, 2020

Update: Qld Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski recently explained that any health direction given by the Qld CHO are lawful.

All the people that have been in contact with the young man have been identified. In Qld, any health directions given by the CHO are lawful & can carry penalties. However, Qld police prefer a "communication and compassion" approach before going to "compliance". #qldpol #auspol pic.twitter.com/gpqL1uEt8K

— David Marler (@Qldaah) March 28, 2021