Australian state border restrictions

[exceladdict]

Well, perhaps the WA premier shouldn't have described the current situation in the Eastern States as 'Pandemonium and Chaos'.

Or if WA is going to have digs at other states, expect digs in return.

Let's try to keep things objective. Wars of words help with political posturing and not much more.

Mark's views do not necessarily represent mine in the same way that I'm sure AP's surely don't represent every Queenslander's, and so on and so forth. Have a go at the politicians or bureaucrats or their decisions but nobody appreciates being tarred with the same brush.

 

[jakeseven7]

Just as we've been doing here in WA for most of the pandemic

Do you mean the WA Government not doing much of anything? Yea it’s pretty obvious from the vaccination rates of extremely vulnerable population that not much effort has been made to protect WA residents.

Pretty sad indictment if that’s acceptable really. VIC did a great job with its First Nation vaccinations. NSW were struggling a bit but then copied the VIC approach. Wa does suffer the tyranny of distance but enough time has passed now that it’s simply a disgrace that the rates are still so low.

 

[antycbr]

Do you mean the WA Government not doing much of anything? Yea it’s pretty obvious from the vaccination rates of extremely vulnerable population that not much effort has been made to protect WA residents.

Pretty sad indictment if that’s acceptable really. VIC did a great job with its First Nation vaccinations. NSW were struggling a bit but then copied the VIC approach. Wa does suffer the tyranny of distance but enough time has passed now that it’s simply a disgrace that the rates are still so low.

And as a result, when WA does open up they will then have to implement intrastate restrictions on movement.

 

[jb747]

And as a result, when WA does open up they will then have to implement intrastate restrictions on movement.

I'll bet they don't do that. It's much easier to have a narrative in which you're keeping eastern lepers out. And as said eastern lepers don't get to vote (other than with their wallets), there's less downside for the govt.

 

[antycbr]

I'll bet they don't do that. It's much easier to have a narrative in which you're keeping eastern lepers out. And as said eastern lepers don't get to vote (other than with their wallets), there's less downside for the govt.

My reading is that McGowan having set a date will have significant internal resistance to changing it from Western Australians and various sectors in particular higher ed and mining which is under wage pressures.

 

[exceladdict]

I'll bet they don't do that. It's much easier to have a narrative in which you're keeping eastern lepers out. And as said eastern lepers don't get to vote (other than with their wallets), there's less downside for the govt.

I do tend to agree, I think the discussion of internal borders is primarily a threat to try to get the (admittedly dismal) vax rates up in those two or three regions. Actually enforcing them long term will be costly.

My reading is that McGowan having set a date will have significant internal resistance to changing it from Western Australians and various sectors in particular higher ed and mining which is under wage pressures.

Very much agree. I think the date is very unlikely to change unless we start to see significant avoidable deaths elsewhere from omicron or the next variant.

 

[RooFlyer]

Its an interesting study WA Vs Tas. Both have had about zero covid for the past year and a pretty normal, mask free life.

Tas very good vax rates - highest of the states, second only to ACT. WA lowest. Both state health systems very stretched under normal conditions.

Tas decided to "open up" at 90% double vax rate. Public told covid will come in. Tas population skewed towards elderly and in poor health. Very much divergent opinions - older and the doona brigade hates the decision, those in the economy welcome it.

So, Tas has opened up. Four cases imported so far, all from NSW travellers I think. No shrieking from Premier, no hysteria, no "NSW dunnit". Just "this is what we expected ... not great but get used to it".

Summer will be ... interesting.

 

[Lynda2475]

Tas very good vax rates - highest of the states

Double dosed percentage for Tas. is lower than ACT, NSW, and Vic. First dose percentage is higher in Tas, but until the all important second doses catch up, you can not claim to be outperforming others.

 

[oznflfan]

Its an interesting study WA Vs Tas. Both have had about zero covid for the past year and a pretty normal, mask free life.

Tas very good vax rates - highest of the states, second only to ACT. WA lowest. Both state health systems very stretched under normal conditions.

Tas decided to "open up" at 90% double vax rate. Public told covid will come in. Tas population skewed towards elderly and in poor health. Very much divergent opinions - older and the doona brigade hates the decision, those in the economy welcome it.

So, Tas has opened up. Four cases imported so far, all from NSW travellers I think. No shrieking from Premier, no hysteria, no "NSW dunnit". Just "this is what we expected ... not great but get used to it".

Summer will be ... interesting.

Summer may see WA opening for a week, then shut to all states 'in an abundance of caution' when first COVID is detected in the community.

 

[antycbr]

Summer may see WA opening for a week, then shut to all states 'in an abundance of caution' when first COVID is detected in the community.

How long will their residents accept being locked in?

That is the more pertinent question than for everyone else being locked out.

 

[oz_mark]

Its an interesting study WA Vs Tas. Both have had about zero covid for the past year and a pretty normal, mask free life.

Tas very good vax rates - highest of the states, second only to ACT. WA lowest. Both state health systems very stretched under normal conditions.

It's also interesting to compare the balance between safety and compassion that different states had. Some balanced it better than others.

 

[Pushka]

How long will their residents accept being locked in?

That is the more pertinent question than for everyone else being locked out.

The issue will be that public safety measures may need to be introduced, like masks and distancing, quarantining etc. if there are cases and that is what the residents will find very hard. That is the pill that SA people are now having to swallow, so it's like we have this 'freedom' but in reality people are too spooked by quarantine threats to go out.

 

[jakeseven7]

The issue will be that public safety measures may need to be introduced, like masks and distancing, quarantining etc. if there are cases and that is what the residents will find very hard. That is the pill that SA people are now having to swallow, so it's like we have this 'freedom' but in reality people are too spooked by quarantine threats to go out.

Yes SA and TAS in particular need to move quickly to the next phase and stop with this over the top approach to quarantine - it’s actually making everything so much worse for them.

 

[jb747]

How long will their residents accept being locked in?

What percentage of the population have never been outside WA? Ever? In the past decade? I don’t know the numbers, but I’d expect the vast majority of the easterners have never been west. Isolation doesn’t make the heart grow fonder, but it makes it much easier to simply not care.

 

[jakeseven7]

What percentage of the population have never been outside WA? Ever? In the past decade?

I think that’s a little bit mean and an old fashioned view of WA residents…. All of my family, immediate and extended in Perth travel frequently outside the state to Melbourne, Sydney etc The old hillbilly stereotype is well ingrained but I personally find it less relevant every year.

But you aren’t alone in that opinion - My (Perth based) mum was on a zoom call and they didn’t realise she was on yet and people were making comments about WA residents being, let’s just say ‘not Oxford scholars’ and she was quite upset about it, just because all easterners see of the state is their Premier

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
Off topic/political posts have been removed.
[/mod hat]

 

[openseat]

Just crossed the Qld border at Wallangarra. 100% vehicle check, our doco at the ready on several screens but only a sample checked until the guy figured we were in order. Border was manned by TMR , no QPS in sight.

Very little traffic, Wallangarra is consistently an excellent place to cross.

cheers skip

Crossed at the Gold Coast late last night - every car being waved through.

 

[jakeseven7]

Crossed at the Gold Coast late last night - every car being waved through.

No checking today either apparently at around lunch time. I’m guessing in busy periods it’s pretty impossible.

 

[nutwood]

Well, we're back in Adelaide. Drove down from Broken Hill this morning. Usual checkpoint at Oodla Wirra. Much more relaxed than the last time I passed through. Wanted permit numbers and vaccination certificates only, didn't even check ID. Only issue was Miss Nutwood, as I'd been told (last week!) that she'd be covered under my ET number but apparently I was mis-informed and she required her own permit. Fortunately, she had flown from Tassie to SA on the 9th and they accepted that permit number.
I've already received the first confusing e.mail telling me the conditions I must adhere to, although no SMS's yet. I feel neglected!

 

[Pushka]

Well, we're back in Adelaide. Drove down from Broken Hill this morning. Usual checkpoint at Oodla Wirra. Much more relaxed than the last time I passed through. Wanted permit numbers and vaccination certificates only, didn't even check ID. Only issue was Miss Nutwood, as I'd been told (last week!) that she'd be covered under my ET number but apparently I was mis-informed and she required her own permit. Fortunately, she had flown from Tassie to SA on the 9th and they accepted that permit number.
I've already received the first confusing e.mail telling me the conditions I must adhere to, although no SMS's yet. I feel neglected!

After 10 days of two texts a day I sent a reply STOP SPAMMING. Clearly it's a monitored text number as that was the last one I received.