CORONAVIRUS —
INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL BORDER RESTRICTIONS
929. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
This question is asked on behalf of
Hon Michael Mischin, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I refer to the government's
policies regarding so-called hard borders and restricting entry into Western Australia.
(1) Does the
Premier consider that he and the McGowan government have a responsibility to
care for Western Australians?
(2) If yes to (1), why is the government not providing
greater opportunities, subject to quarantine and isolation and any
necessary health precautions, for Western Australian residents to return to
their home state and their homes?
(3) If yes to
(1), why is the government not paying for any hotel isolation required of Western
Australians returning to their home state, rather than imposing that financial
burden and hardship on them, given the alleged forthcoming budget surplus?
The PRESIDENT: Member, you might say that that question is
seeking an opinion and might very well be bordering on a breach of
standing order 105.
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
There
is an answer, so I will provide it. I note that the standing orders are quite
clear about not asking for an opinion.
(1) The
government is caring for Western Australians by keeping the border in place, on
advice from the Chief Health Officer, which protects our state.
(2) Caps on Australian citizens returning to
individual states and the requirement for them to finance their hotel
isolation are both decisions of national cabinet.
(3) The state
government is still waiting on a response from the Prime Minister with respect
to mobilising additional Australian Defence
Force assets to Western Australia commensurate with what has been provided
to other states.