THE lockdown of metropolitan Melbourne makes the case for a travel bubble between the Mildura local government area (LGA) and South Australia even stronger, according to Member for Mildura Ali Cupper.
Ms Cupper has renewed her lobbying efforts with SA Premier Steven Marshall to consider allowing residents from the Mildura LGA free access to South Australia.
“I have today again written to Premier Marshall to urge him to consider the travel bubble,” Ms Cupper said on Wednesday.
“Now that Melbourne has been put into a tight lockdown for the next six weeks, many of the concerns regarding the potential spread of the virus should be mitigated.
“Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said the Melbourne lockdown was about ensuring the spread of COVID-19 – which has by and large been contained to the metropolitan area – does not extend into rural Victoria.
“Here in Mildura we are six-and-a-half hours away from Melbourne, which is now in lockdown.”
South Australia on Tuesday strengthened its borders, deploying hundreds of police to patrol checkpoints.
Victorians from cross-border communities near SA are restricted to a 50km radius to carry out daily duties, while the border has been closed to all other Victorian residents who are not essential travellers.
Ms Cupper said SA Health Minister Stephen Wade’s claim on Tuesday that Victoria was a “clear threat to public health in South Australia” was disappointing.
“I strongly disagree that places like the Mildura LGA are a health risk to South Australia, given it has been three months since we’ve had an active case.
“The travel bubble concept has been supported by Renmark Paringa Council Mayor Neil Martinson, who is keen for residents in his community be given access particularly to health services Mildura can provide.”
