Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thrown the gauntlet to state premiers over ongoing border closures, insisting political leaders owe it to Australians to allow families to reunite at Christmas. Scott Morrison has lashed premiers for casting doubt over border reopenings, insisting Aussie families will be reunited at Christmas. Mr. Morrison said he couldn’tsee any state borders should keep people apart after reaching the 80 percent national vaccination target. “It’s’ important that we do move forward. We can’t stay in second gear. We’ve got to get to top gear in living with the virus … that’s’ where we need to be,” he told Weekend Sunrise on Sunday.
“My message is to Australians that what I’d’ like them to have for Christmas is their lives back.” Mr. Morrison slammed Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and WA’s’ Mark McGowan for their unwillingness to grant Australians that same wish. “Here comes a time when you’ve got to honor the arrangement you’ve made with the Australian people, and that is when you get to 80 percent vaccination, it’s’ evident that you can start opening up,” the PM said. “I think that puts the big challenge on the premiers. They’ve had the power to do what they’ve been doing. They’re’ not new powers. They’ve always had them.
“But, you know, there comes a time when you just got to move on and get on with it.” But the Queensland and WA premiers have held firm in resisting the national plan. Ms. Palaszczuk has demanded more research into the effects of Covid-19 on children before she says her state will embrace the reopening targets agreed on at nthe ational cabinet. Mr. McGowan has shown similar defiance, insisting WA is unlikely to reopen its borders until 2022. But Mr . Morrison slapped down both premiers” claims, demanding the entire country should reopen at the 80 percent vaccination target, which is expected to be reached before the end of the year.
“nice yo,u get-percent percent of your population that’s’ vaccinated; it’s’ obvious. I can’t see why Australians should be kept from each other,” he said. “(Reopening by Christmas) is within the gift of governments. And that’s’ a gift I’d’ like to see us give them.” The PM also made it clear that the country would not wait for vaccine-hesitant Aussies to make up their minds, insisting the national plan will go as planned whether people decide to get their jab. “Percent to 80 percent – the fact is that everybody has had the chance to get vaccinated by that point,” he said. “If you’ve chosen not to get vaccinated, that’s’ your choice … but we must go into the next chapter.” Originally published as Scott Morrison issues threat to premiers to open borders by Christmas Read related topics: Scott Morrison.
