Two-year-old girl refused exemption from QLD border policy after open heart surgery

Luella Gilliland, 2, bravely underwent open heart surgery at Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney last week.

On Saturday, the family were denied an exemption from the state’s strict border rules, despite doctors recommending the youngster recover and isolate at home.

The vital operation could not be delayed and had been booked to go ahead when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government closed the border to New South Wales.

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Luella's medical team at Westmead Children’s Hospital are concerned about the potential exposure to COVID-19 during hotel quarantine for the vulnerable toddler. Picture: Nine

It's the second time Luella has undergone heart surgery in her young life. Picture: Nine

Her mum Lauren told Weekend Today that Leulla’s operation was successful, but she still has “a long way to go with her recovery”.

“Emotionally, she’s still struggling a bit – she’s very clingy, has night terrors and some sleep disturbances.

“She’s still not eating well either, so she’s dropped quite a lot of weight from the surgery.”

The family have been in self-imposed isolation at Ronald McDonald House in Westmead, venturing out only to the hospital for check-ups.

The family are begging to be allowed to quarantine in the safety of their Brisbane home, but the situation in Brisbane remains precarious.

Public health alerts have been issued today for more than 40 spots across Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan, as officials race to track any cases linked to a cluster at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.

Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Kmart are among the businesses in suburbs visited by one of Queensland's 16 active cases in the past few weeks.

The full list of dates and locations can be found on the Queensland Government website.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington slammed the “heartbreaking” decision. Picture: Alix Sweeney

As the Queensland government races to contain the Detention Centre cluster, their decision regarding the Gilliland family has been slammed by the state’s Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington as “heartbreaking”.

“Labor were quick to rollout the red carpet for Dannii Minogue but to their shame won’t lift a finger to help this little girl,” Ms Frecklington wrote in a statement on Facebook.

“I am a proud Queenslander but I am also a proud Australian. My heart breaks for what this little girl and her family are going through.

“Our borders must be strong but compassion and common sense must be first and foremost.

“This morning I have written to Annastacia Palaszczuk and asked for some compassion and common sense to bring this little Queensland girl home.

“Luella has endured enough without being caught up in the Premier’s politicisation of the borders.”

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