Coronavirus: NZ travel bubble deals within days

Scott Morrison is preparing to announce deals with state governments to kickstart the trans-Tasman ‘travel bubble’.

Scott Morrison asked Australians to be patient as COVID-19 restrictions ease and borders reopen during his pre-budget address to the National Press Club. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Scott Morrison is preparing to announce deals with state governments to kickstart the trans-Tasman “travel bubble”, with Sydney and Adelaide set to be the first airports receiving New Zealanders who will not have to undergo a fortnight of hotel quarantine.

Government sources said an announcement was expected before next week’s budget after the Prime Minister and his Kiwi counterpart Jacinda Ardern discussed plans as recently as Tuesday.

The Morrison government will need to reach agreement with each state about how the travel bubble will work and is talking up NSW and South Australia being the first cab off the rank because their borders are completely open.

“I hope very soon to see New Zealanders coming and holidaying in Australia,” Mr Morrison told the National Press Club in Canberra.

“I can’t tell you Australians will be able to holiday in New Zealand, but that’s their problem. I’m happy for Kiwi tourists to come here and spend money in NSW and South Australia. They’re very, very welcome.”

While Mr Morrison emphasised the importance of keeping Australia’s economy and borders open in his pre-budget address, West Australian premier Mark McGowan said calls by other states to lift his border closure were self-interested and a grab for WA residents’ high incomes.

“The benefit to opening to the Northern Territory or South Australia – for Western Australia – is not there. There is no benefit,” Mr McGowan said.

“Far more West Australians will go there on holidays than people from SA and NT come here on holidays. All we will do is we will lose jobs.”

Western Australia’s border remains closed to most until October 5, when current restrictions are expected to be eased. Exemptions will still be necessary, and those allowed in will still be required to quarantine.

Mr Morrison warned the budget recovery was “vulnerable” to the global economy, which he said would contract 45 times faster than during the Global Financial Crisis.

He urged Australians to be patient as COVID-19 restrictions eased and borders reopened.

“We do not want to see a third wave in Victoria or a second wave anywhere else in the country,” Mr Morrison said.

“That’s why getting it right and making sure the testing, tracing and the outbreak containment measures are totally up to the mark and to ensure that it contains any outbreaks that may occur. It wouldn’t be surprising to see other cases occur as states and territories open up.

“In relation to the budget numbers themselves, Australia’s in as good a position if not better than most to be able to assess where our finances will go and how our economy will perform. But we are living in the most uncertain times any of us have seen in trying to get an understanding of what these numbers will be.”