SA model for Victorian reopening: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says Victoria should follow the lead of other states that have kept things ticking along during the coronavirus pandemic.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews should look to South Australia and ease its strict restrictions on Sunday, Josh Frydenberg says.

The federal Treasurer was in Adelaide on Thursday spruiking last week’s budget.

Mr Frydenberg commended the “military-style” operation at Adelaide Airport and the Marshall government’s work to suppress the coronavirus.

“My message to Daniel Andrews today, as my message to him every day, is give Victorians back their freedom this Sunday,” he said.

“Look what has been achieved here in SA, look what Gladys Berejiklian has achieved in NSW.

“Victorians need their freedom back, and businesses need to reopen again.”

Mr Frydenberg also gave a shout out to healthcare workers who were on the frontline across the state.

He visited the Adelaide Holocaust Museum, the Port Rush and Magill Road intersection upgrade in Adelaide’s east, and the new Wolf Blass Community Centre at Norwood Oval.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg kicks a football at Norwood Oval during a visit to Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Mr Frydenberg dismissed a call for the state government to step in and assist beverage giant Lion, which this week announced the closure of its iconic West End Brewery.

“It is very sad to see the closure of a brewery that has become part of South Australian life, and indeed their close affiliation with so many of your sporting clubs reflects that close community involvement,” he said.

“These are market decisions, and I will leave that to Lion as the company that has made that decision.

“But beer drinking, I enjoy one from time to time, will continue to be part of Australian life, and there will continue to be lots of jobs in that sector.”