Victorian Premier Dan Andrews criticises NSW for not adopting Sydney ring of steel

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has criticised NSW for not doing one thing, saying they are making decisions that go well beyond their own state.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has again weighed into the NSW lockdown debate, saying the Sydney problem must be kept in Sydney.

The Premier said Victorians could “speak with authority” on how to get 800 Covid-19 cases down to zero after suffering through the deadly second wave in 2020, which is why he was making “respectful recommendations” to NSW.

“It worked here and there’s every chance it could work there,” Mr Andrews said.

“They’ve got a different view and that’s fine.

“They’ll be locked out of our state for as long as they have that view or until they get their cases down, whichever is sooner.”

Mr Andrews also doubled down on his advice to impose a “ring of steel” around Sydney but said his idea hadn’t been received well by the person who mattered most.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews suggested a ring of steel for Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

When asked if there was a positive reception to the “ring of steel” proposal at national cabinet last Friday, Mr Andrews said “clearly not”.

“Well, not from the person who actually matters, which is the Premier of NSW,” he said.

“All I’m doing is telling others what worked here and it’s through painful, tragic, bitter experience that we are able to advise what actually works.

“A ring of steel will work, it will, and that’s why I called for it.

“The NSW government have a different view.

“I would respectfully say to the NSW government you’re not just making decisions for NSW, you’re making decisions for the whole country.

“I’m not here to do anything other than making positive announcements for our state and hopefully demonstrating to every single Victorian that we will make the tough calls, whether they offend others in other states or not, to keep our state safe.”

Mr Andrews also suggested that a curfew could be another measure worth implementing in Sydney.

“It all, as a package, worked here and I see no reason why you wouldn’t be considering those things in other cities, whether they be Sydney or anywhere else,” he said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is not a fan of the ring of steel idea, says the Victorian Premier. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Gaye Gerard

The Premier made the comments as he revealed he hadn’t spoken to his NSW counterpart Gladys Berejiklian on tougher border restrictions with her state.

The NSW local government areas of Wagga Wagga, Hay, Lockhart and Murrumbidgee are no longer included in the cross-border bubble, meaning people from those areas are banned from entering Victoria.

Mr Andrews said he was “too busy” to pick up the phone a call Ms Berejiklian on Tuesday morning.

“I’m sure that she’s been pretty busy also,” he told reporters.

“My views on border arrangements are well known.”

Mr Andrews maintained he was not lecturing NSW but rather stating that any state should look at what Victoria did during the deadly second wave and think about whether they should do the same.

“What they do is a matter for them, but they are making decisions that go well beyond their own state,” he said.

Furious locked-down Sydneysiders hit out at Mr Andrews’ ring of steel idea last Friday, reacting angrily to his plan on social media.

It comes as Mr Andrews announced that Victoria’s fifth lockdown would be lifted at 11.59pm on Tuesday.

[e-mail]