A couple attempting to relocate from Victoria to regional Queensland say they feel like they've been treated like "criminals" after being slapped with over $14,000 in fines and costs.
Robyn Anderson, 67, and Robert Legg, 60, were given the green light to relocate from Melton, north-west of Melbourne, to Roma in regional Queensland on July 16 – the same day the state announced its border closure to Victoria.
But when they arrived and started their 14-day quarantine in their new regional home, police came and told them four days later they had breached a health order by filling out the forms incorrectly.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Queensland's COVID-19 lockdown after new extension
Officers then ordered the couple to be tested for COVID-19 at Roma Hospital and then onto hotel quarantine in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside, nearly 500 kilometres east, or risk further fines.
"If I filled the card out incorrectly, show me where I've made the mistake, don't treat me like a criminal," Ms Anderson recalled saying to police.
"I've got nothing to hide."
9News met with the couple while on their way to Brisbane after their car broke down and being denied motor support by authorities.
Police arrived nearly three hours after the couple initially called for help and the intervention of 9News, with a tow truck and taxi coming to pick the couple up.
After arriving at hotel quarantine in Chermside, both were told by Queensland Health they had tested negative to COVID-19 and just days later were told their quarantine direction notice was "revoked".
However, when the couple tried to leave quarantine, they were stopped again and ordered back into hotel quarantine, where they currently remain.
The whole ordeal has greatly affected the couple mentally, and they are now worried they will be significantly affected financially from the entire ordeal.
It's expected with the two fines, hotel quarantine costs, car towing and holding costs, the couple will be over $14,000 out of pocket from the whole ordeal.
"It's like you're a criminal and you're locked up somewhere, and you can't get out," Ms Anderson told 9News.
"I just don't know why they want to treat people the way they are at the moment."
