Scott Morrison issues threat to premiers to open borders by Christmas

Scott Morrison has lashed premiers for casting doubt over border reopenings, insisting Aussie families will be reunited at Christmas.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thrown down the gauntlet to state premiers over ongoing border closures, insisting political leaders owe it to Australians to allow families to reunite at Christmas.

Mr Morrison said he couldn’t see any reason why people should be kept apart by state borders after the 80 per cent national vaccination target was reached.

“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 commit to granting Australians that same wish.

“There comes a time when you’ve got to honour the arrangement you’ve made with the Australian people, and that is when you get to 80 per cent vaccination, it’s very clear that you can start opening up,” the PM said.

“I think that puts the big challenge on the premiers. I mean, 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.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at COVID press conference at Pinkenba COVID Vaccination Hub, Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, Thursday, September 23, 2021 - Picture: Richard Walker

Originally published as Scott Morrison issues threat to premiers to open borders by Christmas