Australia ‘close’ to opening to world

AUSTRALIA will soon open its international borders, Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying it was not “far away”.

Mr Morrison said Australia was preparing to open back up to the world, having in recent months lifted restrictions on skilled migrants, backpackers and students.

“As many of our states are now moving through and past their peaks, the key issue that we have been examining – and I’ve asked for advice from our health officials – is how that decision could impact on our hospitals, which has been our primary consideration,” he said in Sydney on Sunday.

“The previous opening up of the borders has gone very well.

“We are looking forward to be able to make that decision to open up our borders and welcome visitors back to Australia again, as soon as we safely and possibly can.

He also suggested the easing of travel restrictions might not be far off, noting: “I really do not believe that is far away.”

It came as Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews (inset) on Sunday said that the opening of international borders was “close”.

Ms Andrews appeared on ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday after embattled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce pulled out.

She was quizzed about the border ahead of a national security committee meeting, where a reopening date is expected to be mapped out.

Ms Andrews said she has been working with Mr Morrison to ensure the country could open its international borders as “soon as it is safe to do so”.

The Minister said the pair did not have “all of the information” needed to make the decision, but added “we are very close”.

“We have been speaking with health professionals, we are getting ready to open as soon as we can,” she said.

“We’ve opened to economic cohorts, we’ve opened to international students, the next phase is to open for tourists.”