MEMBER for Farrer Sussan Ley reversed her stance on closing the border, hours after saying it would devastate the regional economy.
On Monday morning, the Albury-based Liberal MP said a closure would be unworkable because her hometown shared health services with Wodonga.
But a short time after the announcement she changed her tune.
“It’s not the time now to be critical or say that things weren’t done as well as they could have,” Ms Ley said.
“We’re country people. We’re resilient. We understand why these things need to be done.
“We’re supportive of policies that flow from the health advice of the time.”
The Federal Government has backed the Victoria-NSW border closure despite growing concerns from within the coalition over its potential economic damage.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced the closure from midnight on Tuesday after the state’s coronavirus crisis escalated with a record 127 new cases overnight.
Mr Andrews said the decision had been made during a phone hook-up with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
A permit system will operate for people needing to cross the border between border towns like Mildura and Buronga to work or receive health care.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he wouldn’t second guess the state premiers’ decision.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that closed borders do cost jobs, but we are facing a significant spike in cases from Victoria,” he said on Monday.
He said Australia’s economic recovery would depend on containing the disease.
“This is not a time for state versus state. This is not State of Origin,” he said.
“Victoria’s success in the week ahead with stemming the tide of new cases will affect the economy as a whole.”
