Scott Morrison Thinks It's 'Unlikely' State Border Restrictions Will Be Lifted Before Christmas

A few months ago, Australia was on the cusp of getting rid of the coronavirus.

Then a second wave of infections hit Victoria, small outbreaks started occurring in New South Wales and several people allegedly lied about where they'd been when they travelled back to Queensland.

As a result, some states and territories decided to reinforce border restrictions to keep everyone out.

Many are looking forward to when it could be expected to see the situation change but the Prime Minister isn't holding his breath.

PA

Scott Morrison was asked when he imagines border restrictions could be eased and, at this rate, he doesn't see things changing before Christmas.

"We should continue to assess what the medical situation is and make very transparent decisions about those matters and I think that aids its constitutionality," he said at a press conference.

"If circumstances change and certainly if they change in the way we hoped they would, well, I would welcome it if by Christmas, if it were possible. But I think it's unlikely that we'll be able to move back to a restriction-free society."

Western Australia hasn't allowed anyone in since the first round of border closures happened and it's expected it will stay that way for many months to come.

Premier Mark McGowan said last week: "It's a long way away. I can't put a date on it, but it is certainly months. As to whether it's before the end of the year, as to whether it's before the middle of next year, I cannot put a date on it.

"Every time you try and put a date on it, you have to change."

Queensland is the latest state to reintroduce border restrictions on New South Wales and the ACT.

9News

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has described it as a 'life or death' moment and she's confident in her decision to prevent people south of the border from coming up.

"This is the right decision for Queensland," Ms Palaszczuk said. "It is going to be tough for some of our small businesses in those communities. But what would be more catastrophic is to take Queensland backwards.

"This is about people's health, there are people dying. This is a life and death situation here."

"Your health comes first. We need to protect not only our health. We need to protect the families. We need to protect our economy. We've seen what's happened in Victoria. We don't want to see that happening here. Businesses have said to me loudly and clearly that they do not want to go backwards."

So, if your family lives interstate, you might want to start Christmas shopping now so you can send presents in time.

Topics: News, Coronavirus, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie