Let us in: SA Premier Steven Marshall’s letter to Jacinda Ardern

Premier Steven Marshall has written to NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern calling for South Australians to be able to travel across the Tasman Sea. READ THE LETTER HERE

South Australia’s “great friendship” with New Zealand combined with the countries’ two successful coronavirus fights should lead to a two-way travel bubble, the Premier argues.

In a letter to NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sent on Wednesday, Steven Marshall wrote he “strongly supports” the reciprocal travel scheme.

His letter came a day after authorities U-turned over allowing Kiwi travellers into the state. There is no longer border restrictions.

In his letter, released to The Advertiser, Mr Marshall writes the two countries share a “great friendship” and that its COVID-19 fight was world leading.

“I would welcome and strongly support arrangements between our two jurisdictions that would further open up travel between us while excluding high risk individuals,” he writes.

Mr Marshall said the travel bubble was important for the state’s psyche.

He said he was confident Ms Ardern would approve such a plan.

“We really want to normalise between Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“We think it’s great that... we were able to announce that we were open to New Zealand people coming into South Australia.

“What would make that even better if those New Zealand people went back to their country and not have to do 14 days quarantine.

“This is the first step to normalising international travel. New Zealand has done extraordinarily well in terms of controlling the coronavirus.

“We don’t serve any threat to New Zealand whatsoever.”

He said he met with chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, and other senior officials last week to discuss the NZ border “to work through the arrangements”.

At that point they were keen to lift the restriction but had to make some final checks to ensure safety.

“We make our decisions upon expert advice,” he said. “As soon as we had that advice from SA Health... we were able to lift that restriction. I think that’s great for increase travel between New Zealand and South Australia.”

There are 25 new cases of COVID-19 to report in New Zealand today – 23 of these are imported cases caught at the border. Two are cases linked to the port worker reported on Sunday, who are workplace contacts.

The state’s top cop on Tuesday revealed SA would join the visitor scheme allowing unrestricted Kiwi travel and direct NZ flights, which officials say will boost tourism. Direct flights from Adelaide to Auckland could now be weeks away.

Police Commissioner and COVID-19 co-ordinator Grant Stevens also eased certain Victorian travel, including for border communities, after the Transition Committee debated restrictions.

Originally published as Let us in: SA Premier Steven Marshall’s letter to Jacinda Ardern