Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warns of ‘ridiculous’ travel situation unless states reopen

Karl Stefanovic has grilled the Treasurer on the way forward out of lockdowns, accusing him of being in an ‘alternate universe’ over one issue.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned there could be a “ridiculous” situation where residents in the country’s two biggest states may be able to travel to Canada before Cairns or Bali before Perth.

Speaking on the Today show on Monday, Mr Frydenberg said the economy would suffer if states did not follow the national reopening plan once vaccination targets were reached.

“I can see that the economy will continue suffer if we do not open up in accordance with the plan,” he said.

“You could have the ridiculous situation where somebody in NSW could travel to Canada before they could go to Cairns.

“Or someone in Victoria could go to Singapore or Bali before they go could go to Perth. That is ridiculous and we need ensure they open up as one country.”

‘Are you living an alternate universe, Josh?’ Today show host Karl Stefanovic asked the Treasurer. Picture: Today/Channel 9

The Treasurer said states should not expect any financial support from the federal government if they chose to pursue lockdowns past the 80 per cent vaccination reopening target.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic said the Treasurer could “bang on” as much as he wanted but the premiers wouldn’t “budge”.

“You‘re in a battle with Mark McGowan, Dan Andrews wants Covid numbers back to zero, Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to take you to court so she can keep her borders closed,” Stefanovic said.

“Are you living an alternate universe, Josh?”

Mr Frydenberg replied: “We’re providing already now more than a billion dollars a week into the states and the territories that are in lockdown.

“It’s not just the economic case that is important … we have seen a record number of teenagers turn up at hospital with mental health issues,” he added.

Mr Frydenberg said Australian businesses would need to turn the screws on state premiers and force them to open up.

Josh Frydenberg said the economy would ‘continue to suffer’ if state premiers didn't follow the national reopening plan. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

WA Premier Mark McGowan accused Mr Frydenberg and others of being part of a “massive diversion” from what was happening in NSW.

“I really find it odd that he says things like this,” Mr McGowan told reporters.

“NSW is in a catastrophic situation and he’s worried about people flying to Bali. I mean seriously?

“I think the commonwealth needs to get their priorities right.

“What’s increasingly apparent is the federal government lives in a Sydney/Canberra bubble ... in which all they think about is Sydney and what’s happening in Sydney.

“There’s an Australia outside of NSW. Five states and territories don’t have Covid. We’re very keen to keep it that way.

“The West Australian workforce, the West Australian taxpayers are keeping the commonwealth government and NSW alive.

“Perhaps instead of attacking us, they should show a bit of gratitude and appreciation for what WA has done ... we kept all of our industries open.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the Treasurer’s comments were odd. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The Treasurer was also grilled about the issue when he appeared on Sunrise.

“You are saying business has got to put the pressure on these premiers, but that’s your job, isn't it?” Sunrise host David Koch said.

“In Western Australia, small businesses are open. They are actually making good money because of these border lockdowns.”

But the Treasurer maintained that closed borders would be catastrophic for the Australian economy long-term.

“(Closed borders) will certainly cost jobs. It will certainly see businesses close,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“It will see our debt burden increase and it will see the wellbeing of Australians suffer.

“That is why it is so important that the agreed national plan is adhered to by the states and the territories.”

WA has the toughest border measures in place. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Despite the growing pressure on him from people outside WA, Mr McGowan said he still wanted to keep the state border shut for now.

“We will get there. We want to keep Covid out for as long as we can,” he said.

“At some point in time we’ll open the borders, but the idea that at 70 per cent vaccination we just deliberately infect our citizens and shut down parts of our economy is complete madness.”

Mr McGowan said it was an issue for December or January, not now.

He added that WA had a strong and free society.

“The idea that we somehow deliberately infect ourselves is completely and utterly insane,” he said.