Gladys Berejiklian has called on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to 'return the favour' in regards to the Trans-Tasman bubble
The New South Wales Premier is keen on seeing her residents allowed to travel to NZ without having to quarantine.
Ms Berejiklian hopes the Prime Minister would reciprocate after Australia resumed letting Kiwis in quarantine-free from February 21, if they have spent at least 14 days in their homeland.
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"I've always hoped Prime Minister Ardern would return the favour to NSW because we've certainly been accepting New Zealanders since October/November last year," Berejiklian told the media.
She added that there's no reason the bubble shouldn't now be opened to NSW residents.
"I've always been robust and confident about our ability to have a Trans-Tasman bubble. I hope that happens sooner rather than later. There's no reason why it can't.
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"NSW has been welcoming people from New Zealand for months without quarantine. And touch wood, we haven't had a single case. There was just a few days when Auckland had that scare.
"To date, we've had no issues. I would hope they would return the favour. I'm happy to be the first state that offers that opportunity."
New Zealand is considered a 'green zone', which allows Kiwis to openly travel to Australia, while the rest of the world remains part of the 'red zone'.
Back in December, Ardern said Cabinet had agreed 'in principle to establish quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia in early 2021'.
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However, following new outbreaks in Australia and Auckland, as well as concern over border closures, that now looks unlikely for the time being.
The coronavirus vaccine has already started in Australia and is due to slowly roll out in New Zealand, which will help the trans-Tasman border open up faster.
Meanwhile, the NSW Premier has today (February 24) revealed some social distancing restrictions will be eased over the coming weeks.
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Residents in Greater Sydney will soon be able do some dancing, singing and vertical drinking in pubs and clubs across from March 17.
Ms Berejiklian said after nearly 40 days of no new community cases of coronavirus, they're happy to see social distancing restrictions eased.
The leader added that from this Friday (February 26), people will be able to welcome up to 50 individuals to their home.
Thirty people will also be allowed on a dance floor at weddings from 12:01 am on Friday.
Featured Image Credit: PA