All Australian states and territories have agreed to lift border restrictions by December, except for WA, at a National Cabinet meeting today.
Primer Minister Scott Morrison said a three-step plan, originally due to start in July, was postponed due to an increase in coronavirus cases.
The plan will now aim to be in place by December in every state and territory, except WA.
“Western Australia has set out some very specific circumstances in their state as to why they won’t be joining that aspiration at this time,” Scott Morrison said.
“That said, they wish us well, and they will participate in that process, where they’ve got things they believe that they can offer and I believe there are many things they can offer in that process. So they are not standing completely separate.”
WA Premier Mark McGowan said he will not put a timeframe on reopening the State's border.
"A date WILL be set, when our health advice recommends it, but that might be some time away," he said.
"Unlike the rest of the country, WA is not currently in a recession. We are the engine room of the national economy.
"So we won’t prematurely re-open borders.
"If we went too soon, it could be deadly and there would be economic devastation.
"That would result in the reintroduction of restrictions, and possibly mean reintroducing the hard border."
Mr Morrison said WA will not be punished for its decision and he respected its border stance.
“The idea that because a premier or a chief minister might have a different view to me about how we should go forward is not a reason for me to punish through withholding funds to states and territories for essential services. I'm not about that,” he said
"Western Australia has a very different border and a very different economy than most of the other states and territories.
"There are not large border towns … along the Western Australia border. Their economy is of much greater scale than the South Australian and the Tasmanian economies."
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