Morrison calls for ‘proportionate’ lockdowns

Scott Morrison has called again for the lockdown in Melbourne to be lifted as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images

Scott Morrison has called for restrictions in Melbourne to be lifted as soon as possible, saying Australia’s economic recovery depends on “proportionate” responses as Victoria calls on the commonwealth to develop purpose-built quarantine facilities to avoid further lockdowns.

Victoria recorded only two local cases on Tuesday, with restrictions looking likely to be lifted on Thursday.

The Prime Minister said the numbers were welcome, while pointing to improvements in Australia’s economic numbers this week as being due to “proportionate responses” to outbreaks.

“I make no secret of the fact I want to see restrictions lifted in Melbourne as quickly as possible and as safely as possible,” he said. ‘The case numbers today are … very welcome, and I’m sure encouraging to people in Melbourne. Australia is (eco­nomically) stronger today than before the Covid pandemic hit. Now there are few, if any, countries that can make that claim and have it backed up by what we’ve seen in that evidence.

“That will continue so long as we get the balance of risk right in our judgments when it comes to any lockdowns. And it must be proportionate. It must be targeted. It must be temporary.”

S&P Global Ratings upgraded its outlook on Australia’s AAA debt rating from “negative” to “stable” on Monday, ranking the economy as only one of three this year to have received a positive upgrade.

The agency said the government had managed the pandemic “remarkably well” with a “swift and decisive” response to the virus, leading to a quicker, stronger economic rebound than global agencies expected.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino on Tuesday signalled the state’s lockdown restrictions would be eased gradually but would not confirm when an exit road map would be released. He said opening back up was still an “hour by hour” proposition.

“We want to provide as much comfort and certainty as is possible and that will be based, as always, on our public health advice, but I want to reassure all Victorians we are on track and we remain on track to have easing of restrictions announced this week.”

Mr Merlino also took aim at the commonwealth for not being quick enough to roll out purpose-built quarantine facilities.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, meanwhile, challenged Mr Morrison to be proactive and help identify a suitable site after the federal government ruled out the state’s proposed Toowoomba facility.

“Hotels are built for tourists. They’re not built to tackle infectious disease,” she said.

“We do the very, very best we can … first quarter of last year, states and territories and the commonwealth made the ­appropriate decision to have hotel quarantine but what we ­absolutely need, and we needed it a year ago, is purpose-built ­facilities for our highest risk ­individuals.”