Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queenslanders won't tolerate AFL players who break COVID-19 restrictions after being forced to defend extending special quarantine conditions to the game's executives.
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The state government has been criticised over claims AFL executives are getting special treatment after Brisbane's Gabba was awarded hosting rights for the code's showpiece event.
About 400 AFL staff have booked out the entire RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast, where they are reportedly able to play golf and "mingle in the pool".
Most people quarantining in Queensland are forbidden from leaving their hotel rooms.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says whichever state had won the grand final hosting rights would have offered the same privileges to AFL staff.
"It's almost like we're be singled out because we've won it," she said.
But in a tweet on Friday she highlighted her expectation the AFL come down hard on any players who breach Queensland's tough quarantine laws.
"AFL players caught breaking COVID rules should be sent home. Queensland won't tolerate it. I know the AFL takes these issues seriously and will take appropriate action," she wrote.
Her comments were a pointed reminder to the league after two Richmond players were fined by the AFL for breaching COVID-19 protocols.
Tigers stars Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones were arrested over a fight in Surfers Paradise in the early hours of Friday.
The pair weren't in quarantine with the AFL executives, but they were meant to be at their team's hub.
They've since been suspended for 10 AFL games and sent home to Victoria.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the duo's "reckless behaviour" had put lives and livelihoods at risk.
Ms Frecklington said Labor had one rule for celebrities and another rule for the sick and the needy.
"It shows bad judgment that Annastacia Palaszczuk trusted these sporting stars to do the right thing."
"We've got AFL officials swanning around a pool. It isn't a good look," she said.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young explained that AFL staff were enjoying different quarantine privileges to most people because of the league's COVID-safe plan.
She said the AFL executives had already been mingling together before they entered Queensland and could continue do so in quarantine at their own risk. But if any of them tested positive for COVID-19 they would all go into individual quarantine.
Dr Young said the AFL executives' quarantine conditions were no different from those for AFL and NRL teams staying in other hubs in Queensland.
"Where there's been breaches those codes are right on top of it so they've managed this very, very well," Dr Young said.
The AFL grand final will take place just seven days before the state election on October 31, and could provide a boost for Labor if the event doesn't result in any new spread of COVID-19.
Australian Associated Press
