The Morrison government is piling pressure on the states to accept a new regime to define coronavirus hotspots as a way to ease border controls
and open the economy by Christmas.
"We should aim for Australians to be able to go to work, to be able to be with their family at Christmas, and to return to visit their friends," Mr Morrison told Parliament on Tuesday.Outlining his plans in a private meeting with Coalition colleagues, Mr Morrison urged government MPs to act as "dealers in hope" to show Australians there was a road out of severe social restrictions.
But a broader agreement remains a distant prospect when Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has hardened her rhetoric about banning the entry of people from southern states. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the closure of the state's border with Victoria was one of the most difficult decisions she had taken as leader, as she outlined a more flexible regime to begin this Friday.
Five Coalition MPs raised the border problems with Mr Morrison during the weekly party room meeting, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg later slamming some of the state rules as "cruel" because they put lives at risk.
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