Coronavirus: WA’s line in the sand on borders

WA business has lobbied Premier Mark McGowan to reconsider the state’s border closure in the interests of the national economy.

WA Premier Mark McGowan. Picture: Getty Images

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan’s latest assertion that his tough border measures are a superior pandemic response pro­mpted the state’s business lobby to urge him to reconsider in the interests of the national economy.

Mr McGowan said on Wednesday that South Australia’s coronavirus outbreak had reinforced his belief that “you can’t be too careful”. WA’s borders with other states and territories were closed for 222 days until Saturday. WA was open to people from the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Queensland for just a few hours when the SA outbreak prompted a swift retightening of restrictions.

“My view is the best thing to do is to keep the virus out,” Mr McGowan said on Wednesday.

“The model by which you have outbreaks and then contact trace and crack down on it is not the best model. “That seems to be the NSW model. It is not the best model. Our model, whereby you keep it out is a better model.”

Mr McGowan said his government was determined to “keep down that track” of border controls. If there were outbreaks in WA against the state’s best efforts, Mr McGowan said WA had the systems in place to deal with them.

“I have a different view to the commonwealth about how to manage it, but overall we have worked relatively co-operatively and the results are there for all to see,” the Premier said.

“ Our border works. It is effective. It is proven.”

WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Chris Rodwell said a pandemic response that was not nationally consistent had serious consequences. He said he would continue to urge WA to agree to a joint roadmap along with all the other states.

“Our long-held view is that nat­ional cabinet is the best place to advance the reintegration of the Australian economy with a clear plan to manage risk and an outline of the public health components required to support the plan,” Mr Rodwell said.

“We also maintain that a world-class testing, tracing and quarantining regime is the fundamental tool in safeguarding people’s health and protecting our economy.

“The lack of a consistent approach across the federation has serious impacts on the capacity of businesses to plan and operate, especially those that operate across borders.

“The business community is carrying an unnecessary burden. It is having to predict potential actions of state governments, as well as interpret and manage the operational impact of decisions. This leads to underperformance and puts jobs unnecessarily at risk.”