Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the New South Wales hard border with Victoria could be lifted before Queensland eases its border restrictions for Greater Sydney.
Ms Berejiklian said she contacted Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to congratulate her on her election victory, and to express her eagerness to discuss the border issues, however, had not yet received a response.
“I know from the overall trend and what NSW has been able to demonstrate there isn’t a single place in Australia where NSW residents, all of us, should not be welcome,” she said.
“That’s my message to the Queensland premier very strongly, that’s my message to the WA premier.
“I want to also stress in relation to Victoria that the NSW government will move forward with confidence and also with speed.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we moved more quickly against Victoria than Queensland did against us.”
She also said the decision to reopen was ultimately up to the Queensland government, “and that’s the chaos they’re creating”.
“But I want to reduce the stress on citizens generally,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I think the best way to reduce the stress, to be compassionate, is to get rid of that Queensland-NSW border; there’s no reason it should be there.”
