Treasurer tells states to accept people will die and lockdowns can’t last forever

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has delivered a blunt message to the states - that people will die but lockdowns can’t go on forever.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down a blunt message to Premiers, urging the states to be honest with the people that Australia will see more deaths from Covid-19.

Speaking with the Today Show, Mr Frydenberg said if Australians wanted to live a life without lockdowns, then they needed to accept people will die.

“So people have to be straight with the public and tell them there are going to be more cases. There are going to be deaths. But we can’t live in lockdown forever. That’s our message,” he said.

Mr Frydenberg also warned state leaders that federal support would not continue if lockdowns occurred after Australia reached the 80 per cent target.

“The state premiers should have no expectation that our commonwealth assistance will continue in the scale that it has been to date because we are working to a plan and that is why the vaccination target of 70 per cent and 80 per cent is so important,” he said.

“That’s why I’m saying to the premiers and to the chief ministers, the government’s emergency economic support does not continue indefinitely. It is there until we get the vaccination rate to the levels that they agreed with the prime minister at national cabinet.”

The treasurer’s comments come ahead of what is expected to be a tense meeting of the national cabinet.

A national plan on the vaccine target to open up the country, agreed to only weeks ago, is set to be on the agenda as some state premiers take issue with others rejecting the call to drive cases down to zero.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has been at odds with the Prime Minister over his Covid-19 plan. Pic Colin Murty the Australian

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been steadfast in her commitment to open up her state as soon as possible. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“We cannot go for elimination. What we are seeking to do now is suppress the virus and boost the vaccination numbers,” Mr Frydenberg said.

On Monday, West Australian Premier Mark McGowan lashed out at Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused he accused the state leader of going “against the country’s interests” with his Covid-19 plan.

Under Mr McGowan’s plan, border closures and lockdowns will remain an option in WA even after vaccination rates reach 80 per cent.

Mr Morrison said Mr McGowan’s zero Covid policy would discourage people to get vaccinated.