Border battle looming

QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hasn’t ruled out fighting the Morrison government in the High Court to defend her state’s right to close its borders.

The strong stance comes after emboldened state leaders have grown increasingly defiant against the Prime Minister as debate rages about domestic border policy, with Australia edging towards its desired vaccination coverage threshold.

Mr Morrison wants the borders open to return life, and the economy, to normal but premiers – specifically from Queensland and Western Australia – have both stood firm.

The political stoush is well into its second year but constitutional scholars say the messy conflict will be heightened when vaccine rates rise and it will be the High Court, not Mr Morrison, who would have the final say.