Scott Morrison takes dig at Mark McGowan, insists Australians must be given their lives back

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken a dig at one state leader, accusing them of refusing to give Australians their lives back.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken a subtle dig at Mark McGowan, accusing the Western Australian Premier of refusing to give Australians their lives back.

Mr Morrison praised NSW for reaching the 70 per cent vaccination target and setting a plan to ease restrictions next Monday.

But the PM had a different message for WA.

“Western Australia in particular, is in quite a different situation to the rest of the country, it always is. That's the nature of its geography and economy and I understand that,” Mr Morrison said on Thursday.

“But at the same time, I think Australians will want their lives back, and I think they will make that pretty clear.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison insisted states stick to the reopening targets outlined in the national plan. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr McGowan has indicated that WA is unlikely to open its borders until 2022, even if the state reaches the 80 per cent vaccination target before then.

But Mr Morrison slammed any suggestion of an approach aimed at achieving zero-Covid, insisting this was a completely unrealistic goal.

“Covid will certainly come. There's no avoiding that. Everyone understands that,” the PM said.

“There’s no part of the world where people don't understand that under the Delta strain, (Covid) eventually comes.

“But when that day comes, when your vaccination rates are at those 70 and particularly 80 per cent levels, that means you‘ll be able to withstand it.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan has indicated his state is unlikely to open its borders until 2022. Picture: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

Despite Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk expressing similar apprehensions towards the reopening targets of the national plan, the PM appeared to have more positive words for the sunshine state.

“I welcome the fact that Queensland is now moving towards home quarantine. That's great. Things are moving fast,” he said.

Mr Morrison encouraged other jurisdictions to look towards NSW as a sign of hope as Australia moves towards the next phase of learning to live with the virus.

“It is hope for the other states and territories. It does show there's a path ahead,” he said.

“To all those still in lockdown, you can look at this day and say we‘ll be there soon, and I know you’ll be. It won’t be long.”

After months of hard lockdown, Sydneysiders will enjoy an easing of restrictions on Monday now being able to head to pubs, restaurants and gyms and have up to five home visitors.

Sydneysiders will enjoy new freedoms from Monday now that NSW has reached the 70 per cent vaccination target. Picture: Christian Gilles

Moving forward, the PM said it was imperative to Australians’ welfare that other states follow the same 70 and 80 per cent reopening targets.

“The deal that we had with Australians was, if they roll up their sleeves, then we’ll roll up ours so they can claim the things so important to them,” Mr Morrison said.