West Australian Premier says international border should not reopen until we have ‘mass’ COVID-19 vaccinations

One Premier has revealed what they believe must happen before the international border can reopen and unrestricted interstate travel can resume.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says the international border should not reopen until most people in the country are vaccinated against COVID-19 and those who refuse are at least educated about the risks.

According to federal budget papers, international travel is not expected to resume until mid next year, but there has been mounting pressure to reopen the border sooner.

Mr McGowan has been stricter than most leaders about the state and international borders, but conceded Australia could not remain shut to the rest of the world too much longer.

“We can’t keep international borders and other things locked down forever because some people refuse to get vaccinated,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Premier Mark McGowan wants mass vaccinations before the border reopens. NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

“Once Australians are broadly vaccinated, once we educate everyone about the benefits of it, once we tell people what is going to happen in the future about whatever the border arrangements might be internationally in particular, and give them the opportunity to get vaccinated, at that point in time we can look to further opening internationally.

“In terms of interstate borders, of course the state always will reserve the right — and the High Court has said we have the right — to put them (hard borders) in place (if needed).”

The Prime Minister has been floating the idea of allowing vaccinated people to travel interstate freely, but Mr McGowan noted vaccinated people could still transmit COVID-19.

“The key here is making sure the overwhelming majority of Australians are vaccinated, and once that occurs, well then we’re much safer — and that’s the evidence of Britain,” the Premier said.

Mr McGowan said people who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine should at least be educated on the risks. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Wayne Taylor

“Other countries around the world have experienced mass deaths, huge economic turmoil, dislocation on a scale we can’t possibly imagine, and so everyone is desperately trying to get vaccinated to save their lives.

“Here in Australia, we have been so successful in defeating the virus and keeping ourselves safe that people are a little but more relaxed about getting vaccinated.

“But obviously, as Taiwan’s currently showing and Japan is currently showing, you can have a third, you can have a fourth, you can have a fifth wave — so that’s why people need to go and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Mr McGowan said he would not consider unrestricted interstate travel until Australia reached mass vaccination levels, although he would not put a percentage on how many people that would be.