NZ Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters praises Tasmania’s coronavirus response

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister says Tasmania shouldn’t be held back from joining the trans-Tasman travel bubble by “slower movers”, labelling the state’s COVID-19 response “superior”.  

AUSTRALIAN states and territories that have dealt successfully with COVID-19 should be given early access to the trans-Tasman travel bubble, according to New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Mr Peters said states such as Tasmania shouldn’t be held back by “slower movers” as they emerged from lockdown.

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The New Zealand First party leader and former New Zealand treasurer also identified Victoria as “a bit of a worry”.

“I’m certain, when we’ve got all the protocols sorted out, which can be done very, very quickly, because so much work has been done, we can be off,” Mr Peters said yesterday.

“Let’s not restrain the movement between our two countries based on the slowest state in Australia.”

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Picture: MICHAEL BRADLEY/GETTY IMAGES

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania was well advanced in talks about the “bubble”.

“Discussions are ongoing,” he said.

“It would make sense given the work that New Zealand has done and Tasmania has done, in terms of where we’re at with COVID-19, in terms of no new cases and very few active cases, that we explore this very positive opportunity.

“My understanding is there has been very positive dialogue between the Tasmanian Government and the New Zealand Government exploring these matters.”

Mr Peters praised the state’s response to coronavirus.

“The performance of Queensland, Northern Territory and, dare I say it, Tasmania, has been superior to New Zealand’s in many ways, even though we’ve done surprisingly good,” he said.

New Zealand health experts are confident the travel bubble plan could start as soon as next month, as the country appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus, at least for now. However, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has this week been cautious about the rollout.

In Australia, the national cabinet is looking at a September start as most likely.

But the distinct possibility remains that Australians in states and territories such as Tasmania and the Northern Territory, that have moved further along the path of easing health restrictions, may be able to travel overseas before they can travel interstate.

However, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt won’t be pressured into an early decision.

“I won’t put a time frame on it. We’re working closely with New Zealand and we’ll continue to work closely with New Zealand,” he said.