Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is under increasing pressure to drop testing rules for travellers from COVID-19 hotspots. 

People are currently required to be PCR tested for the virus and receive a negative result all within 72 hours of arrival into the Sunshine State.

It’s created major backlog at interstate testing clinics, where many people are turned away due to high demand.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told John Stanley the federal government would support Ms Palaszczuk relaxing the rule to accept rapid antigen tests instead.

Josh Frydenberg: “They would need to keep that timeline under review because I do think they need to bear in mind the pressures that it’s creating across the border in NSW –”

John Stanley: “But under review? Can’t they do that now? They’ve talked about doing it January 1, why not bring it forward to today? Wouldn’t you be able to do that at the stroke of a pen?”

Josh Frydenberg: “Well that is their decision and this is not a Commonwealth decision, this is a state decision.

“That’s something Annastacia Palaszczuk, I think, should be encouraged to do.”

John Stanley: “Are you encouraging her to do it? Are you telling her she should do it today?”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Nine News