Queensland soldiers deployed to the Solomon Islands have been granted a quarantine exemption to return home in time for Christmas.
About 100 Defence Force personnel, including members of Army's 3rd, 6th and 17th Brigades, flew to the capital Honiara last month alongside Australian Federal Police to quell violent civil unrest.
A Defence spokesperson said the troops had returned to Australia and completed three days of quarantine in New South Wales and were awaiting an exemption in accordance with Queensland COVID-19 restrictions.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Defence personnel were given the green light to re-enter the state yesterday.
"A previous exemption that allowed direct entry to Queensland without quarantine has also been amended to permit personnel transiting through New South Wales to enter Queensland without further quarantine," Mr Miles said.
"The latest request from the ADF was made on Monday afternoon and granted on Tuesday.
"Queensland recognises the strict COVID protocols put in place by the ADF and the very low rate of COVID-19 in the Solomon Islands."
Federal Herbert MP Phil Thompson said it was a common-sense decision.
"Our soldiers have been wearing PPE, the personal protective equipment, they've been getting tested for COVID every three days.
"They went over there on a military aircraft, they came home on a military aircraft."
State Labor MP Les Walker said there was "never any doubt" the troops would receive an exemption.
"Australian Defence made an application to Queensland Health for an exemption to come in via the Brisbane Airport into Queensland, and they were given that," he said.
"The problem was, Australian Defence flew into New South Wales and they hit some problems there with the New South Wales government getting their exemptions in place.
"Once that was sorted … it was all systems go – Queensland Health had already signed off on them to come home.
"We'd love to see them home in Townsville in time for Christmas."
