Thousands of Queensland residents are still waiting for hotel quarantine exemptions to be processed after long delays by the Queensland government.
Brisbane’s Emily Bengree says she was well equipped to pay for the hotel’s two-week quarantine during her stay in November, but that she can’t do it now.
The bill was supposed to arrive six to ten weeks after the quarantine period, but it arrived five months later, in March of that year.
Brisbane’s Emily Bengree says she was well equipped to pay for the hotel’s two-week quarantine during her stay in November, but that she can’t do it now. (9 News)
Bengree, who has since had a baby, says she can’t pay the fee now.
“Then the recent floods affected us, you know we had moldy covered furniture and with the baby we can’t have that problem,” Bengree said.
The young mother says she applied for a fee waiver but has not received anything from the government.
With rising living costs with a single income, he said he does not know how he will pay the full amount if his application is denied.
“And we think it won’t be over yet if they don’t come back to us,” Bengree said.
Thousands of Queensland residents are still waiting for their hotel quarantine exemptions to be processed. (9 News)
Of the 77,000 people issued with hotel quarantine bills, 20,000 have applied for an exemption.
But so far only 4,600 requests have been processed.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said those facing financial hardship will be treated with compassion, but those who can pay the bill will have to pay.
“Everyone who went into quarantine hotels knew what would happen,” he said.
“Everyone who can afford it should pay.”
To date, only 4,600 Queensland hotel quarantine bill waiver requests have been processed. (9 News)
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said she understands people are under financial stress, but said payment plans are available, adding that hotel quarantine billing was a complex operation.
“It’s not usually our main business to do that, I think we’ve done very well, but we’re grateful that there’s a delay in getting those bills out,” D’Ath said.