ANALYSIS: Frustrations over borders are spilling over — but will the ACT receive the 'special treatment' it wants?
For months now, the ACT's leaders have been making a quiet case to the premiers and chief ministers of various states and territories that it is perfectly safe to re-open their borders to the national capital.
It has been 63 days since the last recorded case of the coronavirus in Canberra, the longest stretch of any state or territory.Only the Northern Territory has had fewer cases, and recorded zero deaths. "So it is a fair statement now to say that the ACT is being unfairly treated by South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland."
Or they fear some people may even use Canberra Airport as a "back-door" to spread the virus from Sydney to their state — with Queensland authorities regularly pointing to one such example."It is unfortunate that we continue to be lined up with New South Wales, when the evidence just does not support those concerns," he said.
While Marshall says it's an announcement he wants to make, it seems more likely New South Wales will cross that 14-day threshold before any specific arrangements for the ACT are made.Read more about coronavirus:The argument for other states and territories opening their borders to the ACT is not just that Canberrans should have more business and holiday options — Barr and Coe are also pleading on behalf of interstate expats living in Canberra, desperate to see family in their home states.
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