Gunner refuses to say if economic hit of keeping borders closed is being calculated

THE NT’s borders will open up at the same time as all other jurisdictions, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said, after ruling out travel bubbles with coronavirus-safe states

THE NT’s borders will open up at the same time as all other jurisdictions, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said, after ruling out travel bubbles with coronavirus-safe states.

Mr Gunner also signalled the nation was “really close” to being able to lift internal border restrictions, though he ruled out any decision being made before late June.

Speaking just before the NT lifted its third and final tranche of coronavirus restrictions, Mr Gunner refused to say if the NT Government had done modelling on the economic cost to the NT of keeping its borders closed.

“What we can say confidently without any doubt at all is our strong borders are allowing our businesses to be open and flourishing,” he said.

“Obviously the decision around the borders is a medical decision about saving Territory lives.”

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More than 6000 Territorians in total are expected to be back at work due to the NT’s relaxed rules. Of those 1800 are believed to have gone back to work due to the reopening of casinos, cinemas, massage parlours, and the removal of time and food rules at pubs.

But the economic data is dire. This week Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed retail trade turnover in the NT had plummeted 7.7 per cent, or $22 million, in April, just as the Territory economy shrunk for the 10th quarter in a row.

The NT News has also recently reported the Territory is expected to lose $200 million each month the tourism sector remains shut, while NT Airports estimated the economy lost $61.7 million in revenue in April due to rock bottom traveller numbers.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has refused to say if the NT Government has done modelling on the economic cost to the NT of keeping its borders closed. Picture: Che Chorley

About 26,700 Territorians, or 10 per cent of the population, have withdrawn money from their superannuation funds to tide them over during the pandemic and as of mid-May the number of people in the NT on Jobseeker had soared to 9391 from 5259 people before the pandemic hit.

As of Saturday the NT will have logged 34 days since a case of coronavirus was diagnosed in the jurisdiction.

There were calls yesterday by the WA opposition to create a travel bubble with the NT and South Australia, while the Queensland Government signalled it would be open to discussions around creating travel bubbles with COVID-19 safe jurisdictions.

Mr Gunner ruled it out, saying the country would “do it once and do it right” and that it would be much easier to lift interstate border restrictions together.

Mandatory hotel quarantine in the NT will shift on June 15 to allow people to go into lockdown in “appropriate” accommodation, including a mate’s home or a caravan park.

This will also trigger the NT’s move from monthly updates about the borders to weekly reviews, the first due in late June.

Mr Gunner reaffirmed the commitment of providing a 30 day heads-up to Territorians before borders open.

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Queensland counterpart Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said “nothing” would change in June on borders, and her mind on keeping them closed cannot be changed.

“At the end of June we will review that as I have said, but we will not compromise the health of Queenslanders at this time – full stop,” she said.