Moment devoted son touches down on the Gold Coast after finally being allowed to say goodbye to his dying dad when Annastacia Palaszczuk reversed her heartless visit ban
A man has finally touched down on the Gold Coast after being granted an exemption by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to travel into the state and say goodbye to his dying father.
Ms Palaszczuk sparked national outrage for barring Mark Kilian and his wife Anneli Gericke from saying their final goodbyes to 80-year-old Frans, who weighs just 44kg and is dying of pancreatic cancer in a hospital on the Gold Coast.
The couple flew from Los Angeles to Sydney on June 15 after the federal government and NSW Health granted them a travel exemption, but when they tried to fly to the Sunshine State on a $15,000 private charter plane, they were refused a quarantine exemption by Queensland Health officials.
Queensland Health rejected the couple's quarantine exemption application four times even though they are both fully vaccinated, have tested negative to Covid three times and even offered to wear hazmat suits and tracking devices during their visit.
But late on Wednesday Ms Palaszczuk finally caved and granted the couple a travel exemption following intense pressure from the media and a scathing letter from Scott Morrison.
Mr Kilian and Mrs Gericke were pictured exiting a small charter plane after touching down on at Gold Coast Airport on Thursday.
Mr Kilian and Mrs Gericke were pictured exiting a small charter plane after touching down on the Gold Coast on Thursday
The pair - who were wearing plastic ponchos, masks and gloves - shared an embrace on the tarmac before making their way to the terminal
Ms Palaszczuk finally caved and granted Mark Kilian a travel exemption following intense pressure from the media. Pictured: Mr Kilian touching down on the Gold Coast on Thursday
Anneli Gericke reacts with husband Mark Kilian after arriving on a charter plane at the Gold Coast Airport
The pair - who were wearing plastic ponchos, masks and gloves - shared an embrace on the tarmac before making their way to the terminal.
The couple on Wednesday filmed a heartbreaking video from their Sydney quarantine hotel on Wednesday begging the under-fire Queensland premier to let them in into the state.
The exemption is 'subject to NSW finalising arrangement of safe transfer of the couple to Queensland,' Queensland Health said in a statement.
'All quarantine exemption requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with current national guidelines.
'It has been a nationally agreed position that all international arrivals must complete 14 days of quarantine in their port of arrival.
'Queensland's approach has been in accordance with this national position.'
The relief came just hours after Ms Palaszczuk announced Queensland will be closing to seven local government areas in Sydney.
The state has banned residents from the City of Sydney, Woolhara, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West and Randwick council areas from 1 am Thursday.
Prior to the exemption being granted, Mr Kilian told Karl Stefanovic on the Today show that all he wanted is to say 'I love you' to his father one last time.
'We just want to be there for those last days, moments... That's all we want. That's all that all of this is about,' he said.
Mr and Mrs Kilian filmed a heartbreaking video from their Sydney quarantine hotel on Wednesday begging the under-fire Queensland premier to let them in into the state
Late on Wednesday the Palaszczuk Government finally granted the couple a travel exemption following intense pressure from the media and a scathing letter from Scott Morrison
Mr Kilian's 80-year-old father Frans weighs just 44kg and is dying of pancreatic cancer at hospital on the Gold Coast
Mr Kilian said his father's condition deteriorated rapidly 'where we knew we needed to get on the next plane we could'
'I don't think we have ever experienced anything like this in our lives. It has been on a personal level absolutely tragic for our family.
'To be locked in a room in Sydney when all it would take is just the show of compassion by The Premier and the Health Minister of that could change the entire trajectory of a family's experience of the last days of their family, it is inconceivable that they would not allow that.'
In an emotional video taken from his hospital bed, Frans made a tearful plea with Palaszczuk to let his family into the state to say their goodbyes.
'Every day that they are in that hotel, is a day less that I have with my son and daughter-in-law in my last days,' he said.
'Please Queensland Health. Show some compassion. And help an old man see someone before it is too late.
Mr Kilian said being banned from entering Queensland to say his goodbyes to his father is one of the most tragic situations his family has ever been in
Mark Kilian and his wife Anneli flew from LA to Sydney last week and were granted a travel exemption by Border Force and NSW Health
'By all accounts, there is no danger to the Queensland community. I'm asking you, begging you actually, to let my son and his wife leave their quarantine to come here to be with me. It is my dying wish. Please.'
In a moving letter sent on Tuesday, the prime minister apologised to Mr Kilian for the 'challenge' his family faced and admitted he is disappointed in the Queensland Government.
'I recognise that you and Anna have done everything you possibly can to see your father,' the letter started.
'I know what an important time this is for you and you can never get these days back. I am disappointed the Queensland Government has not found a workable and compassionate solution.
'However, the Australian Government does not have the authority to step in and provide exemptions from hotel quarantine for travel into Queensland. Under our federation, these decisions are made by the Queensland Government.'
Mr Morrison said he doesn't have the authority to step in and give an exemption prior to Ms Palaszczuk's change of heart