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"Don't give us this line that somehow by making this argument we want to bring COVID back into Western Australia,we want to essentially kill people,I mean that is beneath you,"Senator Cormann said.
"That is not a reasonable,credible argument.
"You know precisely that is not what we're seeking to do. What we're saying is that where we are able to keep people safe and respect their freedoms to move around the community and move around other Australian communities in a way that is entirely COVID-safe and there is no additional risk,let people exercise those freedoms and explain to us what the proper public health reasons are to stop people exercising those freedoms."
Senator Cormann labelled the Premier's comment that the Liberal party wanted the virus to come back into the state"disgraceful and offensive".
"To suggest that somehow we want COVID to come back is wrong,it is offensive,it is highly political,"he said.
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"I understand we are in a pre-election environment and I understand that politics in a pre-election environment becomes a little bit more robust,but even making allowances for that,to make that sort of suggestion is false,it is offensive,and it is beneath him."
On Wednesday,Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said WA could open its border to most Australian jurisdictions as they already met health requirements and had their own generally satisfactory border controls in place.
These comments were apparently supported by Health Minister Roger Cook who told a business breakfast on Thursday it was time to"consider how we open ourselves to freeing up the movement of people between those states".
Mr McGowan took to social media to post a letter from Dr Robertson that said the border restrictions should be reviewed in two weeks'time and defend the government's handling of the issue.
"As our country continues to emerge from this crisis,I will keep you up to date on the advice I receive and the steps we're able to take,"he told his Facebook followers.
"I understand the hard border does create consequences for some people,especially family separation.
"It is a difficult issue to grapple with. My parents live in NSW and I would also like to see them – but right now,we just can't take that risk.
"Our cautious approach has served our state well so far – and as we've seen today it's allowed Western Australians to get back to work and get our economy moving faster than any other state."