Scott Morrison’s govt urges Dan Andrews to REMOVE Covid rules

The Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier are at odds this morning over vaccine requirements for international tourists when Australia’s border reopens. 

The federal government plans to open the nation’s borders to overseas tourists from February 21 for the first time in two years to boost the local industry.   

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday travellers who have had two doses of a Covid vaccination would be welcomed back more than 700 days after the pandemic halted most international travel.

But Mr Andrews on Tuesday flagged international visitors coming to Victoria could have to fall into line with rules applying to state residents.

These rules require people going to hospitality venues and major events to have had their two doses, plus a booster shot.

‘It’ll apply here, in the state of Victoria,’ he told reporters when asked if the same rules would apply.

The federal government has already called out Mr Andrews’ calls for a third shot requirement. 

Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the Victorian Premier was fuelling uncertainty and should reconsider because the state could miss out on the economic boost those travellers will bring. 

‘We don’t want to have a fight over this. We want them (Victoria) to adhere to the same type of approach that we’re trusting the rest of the country will stick to, which is the health advice says double dose,’ Mr Birmingham told Nine News on Wednesday.

‘The commonwealth health advice says that we can go with the double dose.

‘Of course, he (Andrews) can offer, we can offer … the chance to get a booster when they get here.’

Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan told the Herald Sun: ‘The best way to support our tourism recovery is to make travelling in Australia as easy as possible for visitors – that means removing barriers to travel and cutting red tape’

Mr Andrews has warned that while international travellers with two doses may enter the state, they could be locked out of retail and hospitality venues unless they’ve received their booster shot

Mr Tehan said chief medical officer Paul Kelly made it clear that two doses was ‘sufficient for travel to Australia, given most countries around the world do not currently offer booster shots’.  

Mr Andrews has already enforced booster mandates for workers in health and aged care, disability, emergency services, corrections, quarantine accommodation, food distribution, and education. 

Mr Morrison made it clear on Monday that international travellers would not be required to have a third dose.

‘It will be two [doses]. There are various arguments around the world for three doses. Two doses is what the chief medical officer says is sufficient,’ he said. 

But Mr Andrews said he expected the federal government to change its position if advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations.

‘They (ATAGI) must be getting very close to making that decision. We’ve got a national cabinet meeting on Thursday. Hopefully we can receive it before then or at that meeting,’ he said.

‘All the international evidence, all the advice I get from our team is that three doses is what’s required in order to be as safe as it can be.’ 

Scott Morrison said international arrivals would not need to be triple vaccinated after touching down in Australia