The Brisbane Lord Mayor has committed $1 million to relocating people living in the city's parks to the empty $400 million COVID quarantine centre at Pinkenba, but has not spoken to the federal government who own the facility.
The ABC understands the federal government is frustrated the mayor has broached the concept of the facility in north-east Brisbane being used through the media.
"The federal government is prepared to work with the Queensland state government and the Brisbane City Council on this issue, but we have not received a formal request for the council or the state government to date. If a formal approach is made we will do what we can to work together on this issue," a spokesperson for Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said.