SOUTH Australian Premier Steven Marshall will consider the risks of introducing a travel bubble for some Victorian border towns, including Mildura.
Mr Marshall on Friday responded positively to Member for Mildura Ali Cupper’s “travel bubble” proposal, which would open the state’s border to residents from the Mildura local government area.
He wrote to Ms Cupper acknowledging Mildura’s “good performance” as far as COVID-19 cases was concerned and had asked his transition committee to investigate the option.
“Mr Marshall said he has asked his transition committee to consider the risk around the introduction of a travel bubble for some border towns,” Ms Cupper said.
“This is extremely positive news.
“I have always advocated safety first, and completely understand Mr Marshall putting the health of South Australians at the forefront.
“But he has acknowledged our region has done well in keeping case numbers low.”
There has not been a confirmed COVID-19 case in the Mildura LGA since April.
The SA transition committee on Friday delayed opening its borders sooner to NSW and ACT, with Mr Marshall indicating a decision could be made next week.
“I remain hopeful the travel bubble concept could form part of SA’s reopening plans with NSW and the ACT,” Ms Cupper said.
Ms Cupper has lobbied mayors across western Victoria to seek their support to relax border restrictions for members of their communities.
However fellow western Victorian sitting members have declined to make a joint bid to establish a travel bubble between South Australia and their regions.
Ms Cupper on Wednesday sought support from Member for Lowan Emma Kealy and Member for South-West Coast Roma Britnell to gauge their interest in preparing a joint submission to Mr Marshall to establish a “travel bubble” between SA and western Victoria.
“They both indicated they have been doing lobbying efforts of their own, so I will now work parallel to their efforts, hopefully with the support of the three mayors (on the Victorian side of the border),” Ms Cupper said.
Ms Cupper contacted the mayors of West Wimmera Shire and Glenelg Shire as well as Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence, along with counterparts on the SA side of the border, to seek their support for the travel bubble push.
Mr Marshall on Wednesday was asked specifically about opening the border to centres such as Mildura, which had no recent coronavirus cases.
“I think that is definitely the general direction we are heading,” Mr Marshall said. “Moving away from locking up the entire nation, down to localised hot spot management orientation.”
