New Zealand Travel Bubble Announcement

[dajop]

But if NZers have to iso for 14 days after a trip to Aus then why would NZ let Aussies in without iso.

If they make changes at the NZ end, it would be consistent you would expect, based on where they've spent the last 14 days, not on whether they're a resident Australian or NZ visitor to Australia returning to NZ.

 

[NZflygirl]

There are precedents globally of having some variability in allowing access from different states. Singapore have much freer criteria for entry for those "who have remained in either Australia (excluding Victoria State) and Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry". (i.e test on arrival, if negative, no restrictions, vs anyone who has spent any of the last 14 days in Victoria needs to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine, including transit passengers).

I should clarify the states I think NZ want. I think they’d be happy for everyone except VIC at this stage and possibly NSW.

NZ I would say have acted most similarly to QLDs response so expect them to take similar precautions.

 

[CityRail]

Not yet but hopefully soon.
Sunrise interview with SA Premier will request reciprocal benefits from NZ.

Love the interviewers question re:WA border

I wonder how come a State Premier would have the power to demand reciprocal benefit from quarantine exemption with another country, i.e. NZ?

Perhaps SA Premier should liaise with Scomo which he will discuss with Adern on the same level about such arrangements?

 

[RooFlyer]

I wonder how come a State Premier would have the power to demand reciprocal benefit from quarantine exemption with another country, i.e. NZ?

I can't see a problem with a State govt asking something of a foreign government; doesn't need any particular 'power'. If NZ want to implement a certain regime to favour certain foreign nationals, its their business. I mean, if the Tas Premier later got NZ to agree to pay $100 each Tas tourist over there, good luck to 'em.

 

[antycbr]

I can't see a problem with a State govt asking something of a foreign government; doesn't need any particular 'power'. If NZ want to implement a certain regime to favour certain foreign nationals, its their business. I mean, if the Tas Premier later got NZ to agree to pay $100 each Tas tourist over there, good luck to 'em.

I’d be exceptionally surprised if NZ entertained this. National governments talk to each other not to sub national governments. This is the reason why WA cannot participate in a bubble with NZ as they refuse to engage with the Commonwealth framework.

NZ needs to maintain a relationship with the Commonwealth Government and getting the Commonwealth offside is not a smart move.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’d be exceptionally surprised if NZ entertained this. National governments talk to each other not to sub national governments.

I agree that its unlikely. But Australian state governments not only talk to, but enter into agreements directly with foreign governments - which is why the Feds recently brought in the 'foreign influence' laws, to stop the states getting out of their depth. Two examples that come immediately to mind are Victoria signing up to China's 'Belt and Road' initiative and Tasmania entering into an agreement with China on Antarctic co-operation (Tas being a stepping-off point for Antarctica) . Whilst immigration is definitely a Federal-only area, again, if the NZ government wanted to offer something to an Australian state or its residents, after immigration arrival, again, that's their business.

 

[CityRail]

I can't see a problem with a State govt asking something of a foreign government; doesn't need any particular 'power'. If NZ want to implement a certain regime to favour certain foreign nationals, its their business. I mean, if the Tas Premier later got NZ to agree to pay $100 each Tas tourist over there, good luck to 'em.

Yet if State Governments can make a deal like this with a foreign government, then do we really need a Federal Government and various departments to support the national movement then?

 

[NZflygirl]

There was an interview with Mike Hosking and Jacinda Ardern where she said going state by state was now an option. Previously the Feds said whole of country. So it’s more than reasonable for a premier to request reciprocal benefits.

IMO NZ should open to all except VIC NSW. No reason not to. Once the ministerial portfolios handed out I’m expecting an announcement on an opening date.

Makes no sense to spend 3k in quarantine when that money is better off in the NZ economy. The risk of introducing infection is low. I wish we never had an election this year.

 

[antycbr]

There was an interview with Mike Hosking and Jacinda Ardern where she said going state by state was now an option. Previously the Feds said whole of country. So it’s more than reasonable for a premier to request reciprocal benefits.

IMO NZ should open to all except VIC NSW. No reason not to. Once the ministerial portfolios handed out I’m expecting an announcement on an opening date.

Makes no sense to spend 3k in quarantine when that money is better off in the NZ economy. The risk of introducing infection is low. I wish we never had an election this year.

NZ won't be allowed to have direct flights into Perth while Australians are not allowed to go there.

I don't see a problem with reciprocal to SA, TAS etc who have engaged with the Commonwealth model, even if NZ has lingering doubts about the safety of NSW.

 

[NZflygirl]

NZ won't be allowed to have direct flights into Perth while Australians are not allowed to go there.

I don't see a problem with reciprocal to SA, TAS etc who have engaged with the Commonwealth model, even if NZ has lingering doubts about the safety of NSW.

It doesn’t have to be reciprocal. Other Oz states are open to WA despite WA not letting other states in. It would still be beneficial to those travelling from WA to NZ though. They could return to WA and quarantine at home so no hefty bill.

Even when WA does open I’m still expecting flights to be via other Oz airports although it would be a nice surprise if it did happen later.

 

[DC3]

NZ won't be allowed to have direct flights into Perth while Australians are not allowed to go there ..

Is there a link to this? Or, is this just an opinion?

 

[antycbr]

Is there a link to this? Or, is this just an opinion?

Scott Morrison said so in a press conference when announcing the bubble, it was a prerequisite to agree to the Commonwealth definition of a hotspot.

It's here on the relevant Minister's page:

Safe Travel Zone with New Zealand

The Australian Government is establishing a Safe Travel Zone with New Zealand.

minister.infrastructure.gov.au

" Any state or territory that imposes travel restrictions consistent with the Australian Government-defined hotspot, as advised by the acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, will be able to participate in the Safe Travel Zone. "

As Queensland and WA refuse to agree to the definition, it follows that they cannot participate in the Safe Travel Zone and therefore cannot receive direct flights. Some of the states were holdouts such as SA and TAS but have now agreed.

 

[antycbr]

I expect after Christmas we might see a SYD-TPE service, and possibly SYD-SIN.

 

[CityRail]

The travel bubble rules is one area that the Commonwealth have a substantial stick to impose on State Governments and they are not going to give it up lightly.

I expect after Christmas we might see a SYD-TPE service, and possibly SYD-SIN.

Very possibly, or better in 2 national cabinet's time if Australia can keep our cases down.

I would hope we might see SYD-HKG can commence without quarantine before Lunar New Year, which may provide a pathway for Chinese students to come back to Australia to rescue the University sector.

Singapore already allows Australians (except Victorians) to enter the country with testing, and the current travel ban is due to lift on 17th of December, so I think there is certain chance that we might also able to travel to Singapore before Christmas.

However, I think Australia may ensure transit passengers are separate from end-to-end passengers on Asian bubbles initially to safeguard passengers transmitting the virus from high risk countries, especially in Europe and the US through Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

 

[dajop]

Singapore already allows Australians (except Victorians) to enter the country with testing, and the current travel ban is due to lift on 17th of December, so I think there is certain chance that we might also able to travel to Singapore before Christmas.

Yeh, and still face 2 weeks quarantine at the Australian end, unless the announcement last week after national cabinet, that they are setting up a taskforce(?) to examine alternatives to quarantine reports back and recommendations are implemented before mid December.

 

[drron]

I expect after Christmas we might see a SYD-TPE service, and possibly SYD-SIN.

Me thinks that might depend on the Chinese expectations.I don't see QF flying SYD-TPE.

 

[CityRail]

Me thinks that might depend on the Chinese expectations.I don't see QF flying SYD-TPE.

Perhaps Jetstar may take on this route instead with their B787-8 if we can strike a travel bubble deal with Taiwan?

 

[DC3]

Scott Morrison said so in a press conference when announcing the bubble, it was a prerequisite to agree to the Commonwealth definition of a hotspot.

It's here on the relevant Minister's page: ...

" Any state or territory that imposes travel restrictions consistent with the Australian Government-defined hotspot, as advised by the acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, will be able to participate in the Safe Travel Zone. "....

OK. I had thought that there may have been some more recent developments.

 

[DC3]

Me thinks that might depend on the Chinese expectations.I don't see QF flying SYD-TPE.

SYD-TPE direct would work. It’s just another city.

 

[antycbr]

SYD-TPE direct would work. It’s just another city.

Provided Qantas call it Taipei, China, not Taipei, Taiwan.