‘I don’t understand’: Josh Frydenberg slams WA border plan
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says he doesn’t understand why Western Australia has chosen a different vaccination target to other states and territories.
Premier Mark McGowan announced last week that WA would only open once 90 per cent of the eligible population was fully vaccinated.
He added that once a target of 80 per cent was reached, expected to be next month, a specific date for opening up would be announced.
“I don’t understand why Western Australia should be different to any other state,” Josh Frydenberg told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast.
“That once you reach those vaccination rates of 80 per cent that you start to ease the restrictions around the borders.
“We’re seeing now Victorians, and people from New South Wales and the ACT, travel freely.
“Queensland has set a date for the re-opening of their borders, which is before Christmas, and international arrivals are starting to come without the need for hotel quarantine or for home quarantine if their double vaccinated.
“So the people who lose out in WA will the tourism businesses … as well as families and friends in WA who want to be reunited after a pretty long time apart across state borders or indeed internationally.”
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