Following this morning’s National Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison hasn’t been able to get the firm date for the re-opening of all of Australia’s internal borders that he was perhaps hoping for.
Speaking at a media conference afterwards, he did however appear confident that most border restrictions would be lifted in July as the country enters stage three of its coronavirus response.
Mr Morrison particularly welcomed Queensland agreeing to set July 10 as the date to open up its state borders.
And South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, has just set July 20 as the date for re-opening that state’s borders.
But Mr Morrison signalled that there may be one state that lags behind the others when it comes to borders re-opening.
He said that state was probably going to be Western Australia.
But there is a commitment from the Premier to continue to look at this issue,” said Mr Morrison. “The Premier in Western Australia will make the arguments that containing the borders of Western Australia has enabled them to move … they are effectively step three now.”
The PM said it was up to the WA Government to explain its border policy, but he stressed that WA Premier Mark McGowan understood the importance of the growth of the national economy.
“That is a matter they have chosen to do unilaterally and it is for them to make their explanations on those issues,” said Mr Morrison. “But I can assure you when we are framing our fiscal and economic policies over the next 12 months, the assumption the Treasury is making is we are all on step three in July.”
The premiers maintaining border closures need to grow a pair and open up . They do not realise the financial damage that they are imposing on their states. The longer that they maintain this situation the bigger handout they will ask for from the Federal Govt to bail them out of the S#!T. The rest of the country will be paying for that!
Imagine how much worse off we will end up should we have uncontrolled community spread of COVID 19?….because that is the potential outcome because a significant “migration” of travelers, and it would mean that it would became near on impossible to rapidly control an outbreak. Folk need to open their eyes to whats happening around the world, (and rest assured the real situation of what is happening in some underdeveloped nations will likely never be known as they dont even keep death statistics or swab their sick, let alone report anything close to the true number of infections). So be patient, because the economic impact of controlling borders is significant but not even close to the economic and health impacts on significant community transmission of COVID 19. The Government is acutely aware of the current economic impact of border control, but is similarly aware of the possibilities.
So here we go again, state premiers having their pissing competition to show who has the most control over their state. It’s about time we disbanded all states and reverted to one government running this country, after all we are only 26 mill people, it can’t really be that hard surely.
Couldn’t agree more. There is no need to have different rules and regulations for different parts of the country. Imagine the money we could save on politicians’ pay and perks too!
absolutely, over governance, to many level cripples us
Just go with the flow
We are looking good through everyone hard work.
We could be in other parts of the world and only have to walk down the street to catch the virus.
We all should be very proud of ourselves.
Can’t agree more with this comment
Very good comment
Why does Tassie not rate a mention? Are they no longer considered part of Australia?
Excellent point. Unless it’s something really drastic we generally hear nothing about the amazing little state of Tassie.
Linda, here in W.A. we don’t get any sort of mention either so it reaffirms my beliefs that it’s all about THEM.. I don’t read where we are demanding that the borders be opened because it’s my holiday time.. I can help my state by spending my money here just for now..
When this covid19 thing is over and we are allowed to travel freely across all states, I hope I NEVER have to share a campsite with any of these whinging writers on this forum. Make my day, stay away
Yep
Good on you
Well said, hooray……
Gerry, this has nothing to do with whinging, the facts of the matter are, we were told from day one that we had to flatten the curve in order to return to normal. In addition we were told that a National Cabinet was being formed to deal with the issues associated with the virus. Fact 1/ the curve has been flattened for a considerable amount of time now. Fact 2/ the National Cabinet has been formed and as of yet it has not worked because all health officers from each state and the federal government are all marching to the drum of their own states premiers. Fact 3/ this virus is going to be with us for a long time to come, so like every other virus out there we learn to LIVE with them as best we can. Fact 4/ keeping the state borders closed is nonsensical as far as quelling the virus in Australia. Fact 5/ the longer these borders are closed the more the normal we used to know will be eroded from our way of life, and add to this the mental health damage this is doing to a great many of our older residents then I guess you can say we are whinging. I don’t know about you but I was brought up in a country where the government was set up to SERVE the people of the country not dictate and imprison them.
Shane I find that our government has been serving me very well.. In W.A. we have done what we can to adapt with what has happen to our beautiful country… All too often they say “W.A.” yeah “wait a while” Yes our government is keeping the gate closed , and there is a lot of us that support this view…Mr.McGowan is on the television and explains what is going on and when i talk too people at the shops they seem to be of the same view…You may not have reception for W.A.television, but we are moving along and i am adjusting to driving amongst other cars… Travel around in your own state and meet all those people that are going to be new to the life of camping in a caravan… Over here in W.A. there are a changes that are happening and people are starting to look around… you may feel like you have been imprisoned but look at it this way.. if you have behaved you too can go on day release with an overnight stay, in your own backyard (W.A) waitawhilecositgetsbetta
Very well put Markmack, The majority of West Aussies are 100% in agreement. Our Premier has not put a foot wrong in his decision making in my opinion.
It’s amusing reading someone having a winge about others having a winge..!
Love your comment.
Hahaha thinking the same thing.
Mr Shouty wants the borders open but in the next breath tell us how much a second wave would cost the economy. What’s it to be?
Well said Shane. Qld premier thinks she is playing footie as keeps changing the goal posts.. thinking she can cry the under dog at the election. All about power and control.
I just want to get to Qld to escape the SA winter, hopefully before it’s to late to bother. It seems it’s all pretty much under control now & we all know the rules so as long as we all follow the rules I don’t think there’s much to worry about. I’d be more worried about all the businesses that won’t be able to survive without us Nomads, grey or not.
Well put Shane. Are we going to close the borders each winter from now on.Each year thousands of Australians die from the flu and pnuemonia . There is no sign of a vaccine so do we keep wrapped in cotton wool until we all can be vaccinated.Once again the politicians should get out there and have a look at what these border closures are doing to the communities and families.Toughen up and open the borders.
Lets have this conversation around the end of September and if we haven’t experienced a 2nd wave then you can kick my bum until my nose bleeds and tell me you told me so. Until then why don’t we all take it easy because a 2nd wave has started in China.
correct Rob79, With that and the idiot protesters doing their best to undo all the hard work of our health workers at present, I have no difficulty waiting until September. Like all sensible folk.