The Northern Territory has indicated that, at some stage, it would like to only allow fully vaccinated travellers to cross the border to visit.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner says his government is seeking legal advice on key issues around the mandating of vaccines for people wanting to enter the Territory.
The ABC reports that these considerations include whether the government can require that people entering the NT be vaccinated, and whether the government can compel people to disclose their vaccination status.
Mr Gunner says nothing is off table in terms of measures to protect Territorians against Covid.
Earlier this week, Western Australia’s leading tourism body called for all interstate arrivals into the state to be vaccinated. The Tourism Council WA wants the requirements to be in place from December 1 to help provide certainty around travel arrangements.
And before that, the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania issued a similar appeal calling for all entering the island state to be double jabbed.
The renewed focus on a ‘no jab, no travel’ debate comes amidst mounting confusion of what border arrangements are in place and where.
There have been chaotic scenes at the Kununurra road border over the past week, with many people camping in bushland near the checkpoint because a massive accommodation shortage prevented them from crossing.
The ABC reports the issues were compounded by uncertainty among travellers over whether WA’s border restrictions had actually been eased with the Northern Territory.
A lockdown in the Northern Territory had prompted Western Australia to make arrivals from the NT get tested within 48 hours then isolate while they awaited the result. While that lockdown ended on Friday last week, it was not until late Monday that some people, who had either recently crossed the border or were still planning to cross, received a text message from WA police saying they no longer needed to get a test and isolate.
However, it was still some time after that the government actually made a public announcement of the change and updated its website.
Among those who expressed their frustration on social media at the mixed messaging was Maarten Van Coillie, who had spent a week trying to cross the border so he could work on a farm north of Perth.
Like many others he failed to find accommodation in the Kimberley deemed suitable to isolate in, so he turned back to Katherine. He told the ABC that it was not until he saw other people’s text messages that he saw restrictions had eased.
The ABC says WA police and health staff have been severely stretched at Kununurra with hours-long border and testing lines. It reports that some travellers stuck on the Northern Territory side have struggled to access enough fuel, water, and phone service.
Australians all let us rejoice, for we are ONE and free. Yeah, right. Federation has become a joke and individual states and territories are now seperate countries. Bit like living in Europe pre EU.
Something or someone needs to reunite this country and bring in a Bill of Rights. Any takers?
Hi Bob. I read a book by John Singleton in 1957 called RIP VAN AUSTRALIA. The forward said;” Everything the Government touches turns to shit.” Nothing has changed in 45 years. Lets get rid of State Governments for a start.
Sounds like a good idea. About time that anti-vaxxers missed out because of selfishness and ignorance.
100 % agree. Let them “suffer in their jocks”
What about those with medical reasons not to get the hsb?
Then they need carry a certificate from there doctor to advise that for medical reasons they cannot get the jab, other wise no jab no interstate travel.
I’m not sure what medical conditions you refer to
Trust me if your sick as I am the specialist and doctor were paranoid about me getting it,because I could NOT afford the risk off fighting the virus
Then we have had certain group who use the excuse they have a medical certificate .Most don’t
Totally agree.
Not everyone can get the jab because of other health issues
The States have been arguing and bickering since Federation, including setting their own agendas…nothing new…!
How about the NT vaccinates their people first and then we’ll see.
It’s very simple. Mandated jabs mean 1 of 2 things, if it comes in:
1) If a person wishing to get in GAS to get the jab and gas serious side effects or dies, there is a better than even chance that the State Government can successfully be sued. This is why they won’t do it until after the Federal Election, waiting for the new Government, Labor or Liberal, to mandate jabs, which they say no to, niw, but will bring in, bext year. That way, the Federal Government would be sued, nit the State Government, while the State Government enjoys “no jab, no travel”.
2) Either way, realising that they will lose Grey Nomad and others income because without a Federal Government mandate, a lot of people will refuse the jab, the State Government will eventually repeal that requirement. After alk, uf you check the Bureau of Statistics for deaths from Covid-19 and als deaths from the flu, for 2021, the numbers are pretty close. If they don’t demand flu jab mandates, they cannot justify Covid-19 mandates.
Remember having the flu? Go ti bed, drink lots if fluid, stay warm. Then, repeat for the next time you got it. Flu isn’t ever going away, just like Covid-19 yet no flu jabs mandated, no flu epidemic lockdowns.
Totally agree with you. Mandating Medical procedures is and should remain untouchable. I’m so sad by some of the comments from some people who say and agree no Jab no travel etc etc. It’s what they want to divide us all. We are one Country, let’s stick together and stop these crooked Politicians.
I don’t think vax should be mandated however those that think this is the flu or in fact think the flu is not bad don’t really know what the flu is.
Until retired, I worked in ICU. Flu kills, people are very very sick with the flu. COVID amps that up, it kills. It is not being hyped up.
Get a vax, any brand, it’s the only way back to any sense of normality.
I fully agree…with Richard D..
I have had my 2 shots I just won’t be able to travel and be free . This is one country . Why keep closing the boarders . It sending the country broke wake up labour states . I will never vote labour again
… 1218 reasons in NDW today is evidence of a grossly mismanaged lockdown..
Happy to spend our travel budget in other areas and cancel the bucket list travel of Australia. I think they will be lucky to reach 70% vaccination rate so all tourism and hospitality with take a big hit in revenue. Expect the list of no vax no entry establishments to increase and sit back and watch the collapse of the Australian economy, all for a virus that has a 98% recovery rate.
The states should have been made obsolete at Federation.
Two tiers of Government should have been done e.g. larger Councils then Federal Gov. only. We’re the most over governed country in the world.
Interesting comment re states. Fact there were no states until after Federation only colonies before. Part of being able to get Federation was to establish self governing states. Read your Ozzie history.
Yes how true is that I agree
I believe the jabs should be made Mandatory for everyone. Those that cannot have it for medical reasons they would have to carry an exemption with them the same as we that have had the jabs need to carry our certificates or soon to come, VACCINATION PASSPORTS.
So, what other medical procedures would you like to make mandatory?
We should be fighting for unity not creating division, is that really what you want for future generations? This is Australia and we should all have the right to choose vaccine or no vaccine but also be allowed to travel OUR country freely. The madness of it all is that stopping non vaccinated from travelling will not stop the spread because the vaccine does NOT stop you getting or spreading Covid. God forbid the table turns on the vaccinated should the experimental vaccine not be as “safe” as claimed (remember Thalidomide?) Perhaps the vaccinated will no longer be allowed to travel, dine, socialise freely with NO exemption….think about it. This is not what I want for my country!
Hear, hear Paul. Glad you make these points. People seem blind to the fact that you can still get Delta strain, in particular, even though you are vaccinated and also spread it to others so they are still a threat to those who have good reasons not to get vaccinated at this stage.
Agree 100%
Nothing to do with individual states. The whole world is rapidly heading towards some form of vaccination mandates and that is a good thing.
Doesn’t mean taking away free choice because there is still a choice – get vaccinated and enjoy freedom, not get vaccinated and stay home. Those with valid medical reason can be free if they have a covid test once a week or stay home.
What a sensible comment for once. Seems very few on here know why Federation was made in the first place. Yes, in includes taxing you and warring with anyone who disagrees with you.
spot on
Spot on
Told everyone this was the plan. Why else would Medicare show the Covid Vaccination status on a watermarked document? All other vaccinations are simply listed. Morrison had planned this from day one and he is the force behind the Lockdowns The Premiers are just pawns.
It’s seem obvious based on the comments that there’s misunderstanding what the vax can’t and can do. Vax can only protect you from getting seriously sick and death when infected by Covid. It does mean fully vaxd cannot be infected or reduce the chances of getting infected by covid. So with these covid passport is just a coercion mechanism by the Govt. Look around outside Aus, in US they are requiring fully vaxd individuals to wear mask all the time and advised to get 3rd jab due to breakthrough infections etc.
Seems lots of you are convinced by an untested vaccine. That is OK with me. Just try to grasp that at a 70% vaccination rate there will be about 8 million unvaccinated Australians. Get a little cynical – the press and bureaucrats do lie or overstate their knowledge. Big pharma and medical scientists have poor history. Just be tolerant of others who have considered and come to a different conclusion to you.
I’m happy to be tolerant of anyone that chooses not to get vaccinated. It’s their right. What I’m not happy to do is have them be a risk to me or my family. Restricting their movement is a risk mitigation strategy for our society, just like the many laws designed to protect us.
What makes you think fully vaccinated cannot be COVID carriers? Or assume that fully vaccinated reduces that chances of being infectious? That’s the biggest vax marketing lie you have been told. Vax only reduces your chance to be seriously ill or of death. It’s not a sanitising vax (i.e. kills the virus inside you). Look up pharma’s claims and disclosure, they do not claim these vax as sanitising.
Dave, while you are generally correct, you conveniently avoid some of the detail. According to those in the know (not you), not only are vaccinated people are less likely to get the virus, they are also less likely to pass it on due to a lower virus load. Therefore, if everyone is vaccinated the virus would have a harder time spreading. Also, have you considered the measures would protect you, other conspiracy theorists and, I assume, your family? We don’t want you all to get sick or die. After all it’s our taxes that would treat you.
BTW don’t bother responding, I won’t see it.
Vaccines turned my children into adults.
Al,you are niether the father nor the son.as we are still in truly an experimale state with the virus and the cure,I would suggest a little time to see for ourselves and not let big phama experiment with us whilst trialling their products.
Your problem is you have been brainwashed. If you have the vaccination YOU have essentially NOTHING to worry about Its not 100% effective but your chances of dying is less than getting bitten by a death adder in your van
I certainly remember when overseas travel needed multiple vaccinations – smallpox, yellow fever, typhoid, cholera etc – don’t see pandemics for those now. Seem to remember when all school kids needed certain vaccinations too. Why can’t we see covid vaccinations in the same light – for overseas and domestic travel?
Glad there is a vaccination being tested for malaria too.
Thats of course cortrect. UI am fully vaccinated BUT I refuse to show a cop or worse some brainless supermarket worker proof of my medical status Morrisson is amending the law right now so any business can demand to see your vaccination status.This is WRONG no one has a right to demand to see my private medical business . Will they show their gentiotals?
Agree! Even if you’re off sick from work your employer can’t ask what’s wrong. Doctors can put things like ‘an illness’ or ‘unfit for work’ on a doctor’s certificate. My medical record, not available to anyone else, vaccinated or not!
Bill, I run a small business. At the moment I insist all clients coming to my office wear a mask. By year end, I will insist all my clients are vaccinated. They will have a choice, vaccinate and use my services, or find another service provider. That is my freedom requirement.
Maybe your vaccination status will be tattooed on your forehead so the Checkout Chick will not have to ask a personal question!
You know?? I am Jack tired of the twaddle being put by idiotic premiers and so called “health experts” …. This whole situation has become grossly political … Time for the Feds to say … play the game you agree to or receive zero assistance‼️‼️
Biggest RV show in the world is on in Germany this weekend and the world attends – except Australia. 51 countries on mainland Europe. Attendance requires a negative COVID test or Proof of Vaccination. Nothing else! No masks – no mandatory distancing. You’d think our BS detectors would be screaming.
Arrrrhh..all good..!
What a great big beautiful country we live in.
We can all have our own opinions..listen or read of others opinion..take no notice or disagree without being hung or shot..Times are a bit tough…but our parents made it ok thru the depression..stay calm and smell the roses a bit people
Imagine living in our nearest northern neighbours country with 270 million other people..??
Cheers..!
Thumbs up to that! Nice to read a cheerful comment for once.
Sorry This is most assuredly dfifferent. Policticians ARE trying to massively diminish our rights and add many non related levels of control I suggest you look at Vics Omniubus bill jammed through There is NO known basis for it under Medical grounds and its Unbelievably draconian. An Authorized office who is accountable to “No one” can lock you up on a whim-forever! check it!!
I suggest that the experts that seem to know more than the W H O and all the other specialists in the pandemic fields offer their services so that things can be sorted out for all us dummies who are just happy to get vaccinated.
Just suck it up and get vaccinated. Sensible people have or are doing the right thing.