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Australian Deputy Prime Minister Says It's Unacceptable That State Borders Are Still Closed

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Says It's Unacceptable That State Borders Are Still Closed

Michael McCormack says it's 'not good enough' that some borders are still closed.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Nearly everyone in Australia has endured months of being stuck in one place. Whether that's no more than 5kms from your home in Melbourne or not being allowed to fly to see friends or family interstate, it has certainly not been fun feeling stranded.

It's what has been necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, however Australia's Deputy Prime Minister said he wants to see some changes.

Michael McCormack is demanding nearly all the states and territories across the country reopen their borders to their fellow country people.

Speaking on Channel 7's Sunrise programme, the Deputy Prime Minister said: "We want the Premiers of those states who have still got very tight lockdowns to ease those restrictions.

"People want to travel, particularly as we approach the warmer months where people want to go on holiday and they want to catch-up with their loved ones over Christmas.

Xinhua News Agency/PA

"It's not good enough that we've got tight border restrictions that are preventing many people from travelling where they want to be around this great nation."

The rules around coming and going into different states varies based on where you are. Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia still have hard borders which prevent you from entering unless you have a specific reason and two weeks of hotel quarantine is still required for non-essential travel.

The leaders of those states have resisted calls for reopening and insist they want coronavirus numbers in Australia to be lower so that residents will be safer.

The deputy PM's comments have the backing of the Prime Minister, who has similarly called for some states to get the ball rolling.

Scott Morrison also wants states to begin to open their borders.
Xinhua News Agency/PA

Scott Morrison is keen on seeing hotspot areas introduced rather than lockdowns that affect the whole state.

"We need to come together and ensure that we are clear with Australians that we will seek to make Australia whole again by Christmas this year," Mr Morrison told lawmakers earlier this month.

"That Australians come together the way they always would at Christmas, so they can spend their important time with family."

At the end of the day, despite Mr Morrison being the Prime Minister of Australia, he won't have any power to force the states to do anything. Each Premier or Chief Minister will be responsible for when their jurisdiction will reopen and that could still be several months off.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Australia