As Western Australia is reopened for the first time in nearly 700 days, Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said he wants residents to 'forgive and forget' Premier Mark McGowan's harsh border restrictions.
Mr Zempilas' comments came as Western Australia reopened its borders to interstate and international travellers for the first time in almost 700 days on Thursday.
Stream the latest news on COVID-19 with Flash. Stream more than 20 global & local news sources. New to Flash? Try 1 month free now. “I appreciate that we’re probably going to have to work hard in WA to earn the love and the trust and the respect of people on the east coast back,” he said. Despite the backlash the Premier insisted the decision to push back the reopening was made to ensure the triple vaccination rate was the highest in the country.
“I think this is a real line in the sand though and a moment for everybody, both sides of the country to put that ill feeling that may have existed behind us all and say, ‘okay it’s about reconnecting and it’s about moving forward as a country together’,” the Lord Mayor said.
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