Premier ignores tourism threat

TASMANIA’S Premier is confident the state’s border opening plan is legal and he “couldn’t care less” about a threat of a challenge by tourism giant Flight Centre.

Flight Centre says it is prepared to mount a legal challenge against internal border closures if Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia do not reveal “reasonable” plans to rejoin the nation in coming weeks.

“We want to see a reasonable plan from national cabinet this week,” Flight Centre chief executive Graham Turner told The Australian on Thursday.

“We expect the state premiers to have a plan and we expect it to be reasonable. If not and the borders stay shut, we don’t have a choice but to challenge.

“Our lawyers do believe the case has actually changed since the Palmer case on whether it is reasonable to keep the borders shut.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said he would release modelling and Tasmania’s border opening plan in two weeks.

Mr Gutwein again reiterated that he wanted 90 per cent of Tasmanians aged over 16 years to be vaccinated before it allows people from all other states to come in. The Premier said he had not sought advise on the legality of his stance on borders with the Solicitor General but he remained confident it was legally solid.

“I am paying little attention to this talk,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I couldn’t care less if the head of Flight Centre wants to take Tasmania to court over our position. That position will always be in the interest of Tasmanians and their safety.”

Flight Centre estimated the border closures were costing it $100m a month.

National cabinet met on Friday, but this state has yet to give a clear timeline on when it will open its borders.