The news of the federal governments 1.2 Billion $ package has not filtered through to WA, with only Broome as the sole destination under the package.
The commentary has revolved around the McGowan governments uncertain rigid border and quarantine rules. There is a lot of blame of the McGowan govt. for the one only destination under the package.
Premier McGowan was scathing saying it was 'disgraceful and outrageous'
An excerpt from the article from the Australian, commentary from the premier.
“The Liberal Party punishing Western Australia (for its border rules) is actually disgraceful and outrageous, and I’d urge them to ensure that this decision is changed.”
So my question for the premier is, how do you expect to have extra destinations (including Perth) if you intend to retain your border and quarantine policy? Surely if you lock all and sundry down and out you can't expect to have extra destinations afforded to you - especially Perth.
My experience with the WA border and quarantine rules, on Tuesday the 2nd of March while in Melbourne (had to attend a funeral) I called the WA covid hotline to ask when I could return without quarantining. No word of a lie, I sh*t you not this is how it went down.
Me: 'When can I return without quarantining?'
Operator: 'We don't know because the Vic govt. have not given us the figures'
Me: 'OK the WA govt. sets its own rules on border control and quarantine correct?'
Operator: 'Yes'
Me: 'Ok so when can I return without quarantining?'
Operator: 'We don't know because the Vic govt. have not given us the figures'
Me: 'Ok the WA govt. is aware the last two cases were on the 25th of February, yes?
Operator: 'Yes'
Me: 'Ok forget about the Vic govt., as we've established the WA govt. sets its own rules on quarantining, so when can I return?'
Operator: 'I can't answer that'
Me: 'Ok is there anyone in this department that can give me a clear answer so that I may avoid quarantine?'
Operator: 'Not that I know of'
In the end because I'm rostered back at work on the 25th of March, I had to bite the bullet - at my expense rearrange my flights and accept that I'd have to quarantine for 14 days.
Then this announcement, which was on the telly 3 days later
I still have to do my 14 days which ends on the 23rd because I've returned before the 15th, would've been handy to know!
Would you reckon I'm just slightly annoyed? Talk about fargin infuriating? And McGowan wants this stimulus package to include more WA destinations yet keep his totally inflexible border and quarantine rules.
If it wasn't for a funeral with the amount of hoops to jump through to get there and then back, and now have to quarantine while everyone who comes in later are free to roam the thought would not even entered my mind.
So McGowan, IF you want more destinations in this stimulus AND expect tourists to come over you gotta give em some certainty. Don't be a d***! make up your mind! Can't have it both ways.
The commentary has revolved around the McGowan governments uncertain rigid border and quarantine rules. There is a lot of blame of the McGowan govt. for the one only destination under the package.
Premier McGowan was scathing saying it was 'disgraceful and outrageous'
NoCookies | The Australian
www.theaustralian.com.au
An excerpt from the article from the Australian, commentary from the premier.
“The Liberal Party punishing Western Australia (for its border rules) is actually disgraceful and outrageous, and I’d urge them to ensure that this decision is changed.”
So my question for the premier is, how do you expect to have extra destinations (including Perth) if you intend to retain your border and quarantine policy? Surely if you lock all and sundry down and out you can't expect to have extra destinations afforded to you - especially Perth.
The government won't invest where the border 'can shut at moment's notice' - 6PR
WA has been largely left out of the Federal Government’s tourism stimulus package, which will subsidise flights to select locations across Australia. Broome is the only WA location out of the 13 destinations on the list. This means travellers from interstate will be able to fly direct to Broome...
www.6pr.com.au
My experience with the WA border and quarantine rules, on Tuesday the 2nd of March while in Melbourne (had to attend a funeral) I called the WA covid hotline to ask when I could return without quarantining. No word of a lie, I sh*t you not this is how it went down.
Me: 'When can I return without quarantining?'
Operator: 'We don't know because the Vic govt. have not given us the figures'
Me: 'OK the WA govt. sets its own rules on border control and quarantine correct?'
Operator: 'Yes'
Me: 'Ok so when can I return without quarantining?'
Operator: 'We don't know because the Vic govt. have not given us the figures'
Me: 'Ok the WA govt. is aware the last two cases were on the 25th of February, yes?
Operator: 'Yes'
Me: 'Ok forget about the Vic govt., as we've established the WA govt. sets its own rules on quarantining, so when can I return?'
Operator: 'I can't answer that'
Me: 'Ok is there anyone in this department that can give me a clear answer so that I may avoid quarantine?'
Operator: 'Not that I know of'
In the end because I'm rostered back at work on the 25th of March, I had to bite the bullet - at my expense rearrange my flights and accept that I'd have to quarantine for 14 days.
Then this announcement, which was on the telly 3 days later
Victoria to transition to ‘very low risk’ from March 15
Victoria will transition from ‘low risk’ to ‘very low risk’ at 12.01am, on Monday, March 15, pending no further outbreaks.
www.wa.gov.au
I still have to do my 14 days which ends on the 23rd because I've returned before the 15th, would've been handy to know!
Would you reckon I'm just slightly annoyed? Talk about fargin infuriating? And McGowan wants this stimulus package to include more WA destinations yet keep his totally inflexible border and quarantine rules.
If it wasn't for a funeral with the amount of hoops to jump through to get there and then back, and now have to quarantine while everyone who comes in later are free to roam the thought would not even entered my mind.
So McGowan, IF you want more destinations in this stimulus AND expect tourists to come over you gotta give em some certainty. Don't be a d***! make up your mind! Can't have it both ways.