New Zealand Could Open Its Borders To Aussies Before Queensland Does

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sent a clear message to the Queensland Government: he will not allow the state’s border bans to create an “obstacle” to opening up Australia’s proposed travel bubble with New Zealand.

It comes as Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is looking to keep their borders closed until to September.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the government wanted the tourism industry to stand on its own two feet “as soon as it’s safe” for tourists to travel again.

“New Zealand is obviously the first, and right now only, international market that we could safely agree to open up to,” he said,

“If New Zealand and some Australian states are ready and willing to progress, then the reluctance of other states to open up their domestic borders shouldn’t become an obstacle to progress”.

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham

He firmly believes that the recovery of jobs and small businesses in some states shouldn’t be held back by the decisions of other state governments.

This could see New South Wales and Victorian citizens visiting New Zealand, before entering the Sunshine State.

There is still no definitive date set for the proposed trans-Tasman travel bubble, however, Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have agreed to the idea in principle.

This morning during an interview with Radio New Zealand, Jacinda Arden did express that she would prefer Australia open up its own borders before welcoming New Zealanders.

“I imagine they’ll want to see those issues resolved around their domestic border, most likely first, that’s my expectation,” she said.

READ: Get Ready To Pump Up The Great Trans-Tasman Reunion Bubble

Fiji, along with other Pacific Island nations have also expressed their interest in being part of the travel bubble.