Chief Health Officer’s direct advice the justification for keeping NT borders closed to interstate travel: Gunner

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says the advice that is keeping the Territory borders closed is coming directly from the NT Government’s Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, pictured, says the advice that is keeping the Territory borders closed is coming directly from the NT Government’s Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie

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CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says the advice that is keeping the Territory borders closed is coming directly from the NT Government’s Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie.

“I’ll keep listening to the expert advice in the Territory, and keep doing what’s right for the Territory,” Mr Gunner told the NT News last night.

The Chief Minister was responding to a challenge to state and territory leaders by Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham to release the scientific advice that is keeping their borders closed.

Mr Birmingham has warned they are risking mass job ­losses in tourism and hospitality if the border lockdowns continue.

Mr Birmingham has been supported by Prime Minister Scott Morrison who has also called on Mr Gunner and other states to justify keeping their borders closed.

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NT Chief Health Officer, Dr Hugh Heggie. Picture: Keri Megelus

“If I had waited to be told by Canberra to close our borders it never would have happened and Territorians would have died,” Mr Gunner said.

The NT Health Department said Dr Heggie would continue to provide clinical advice to the Chief Minister and Health Minister to help inform the Government’s response to the management of COVID-19.

It said that in determining his health advice, Dr Heggie weighed up many factors including the Northern Territory’s vulnerable populations and success to-date in managing the public health emergency.

“Border controls are the most effective means of preventing COVID-19 spreading into our community from other parts of Australia.”

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Mr Gunner added: “The Australian Chief Medical Officer’s … advice is the Federal Framework for a COVID Safe Australia, which includes advice on interstate travel. It does not recommend restarting interstate travel until the last step in the framework.

“This framework was explained and endorsed by Professor Brendan Murphy. It shows that we need to be confident the other states are safe before interstate travel can be considered safe,” he said.