The political battle over state borders is heating up. The Premiers are standing firm but the Prime Minister wants interstate travel to resume by Christmas.
The political battle over state borders is heating up. The Premiers are standing firm but the Prime Minister wants interstate travel to resume by Christmas.
Hard border closures are helping contain COVID cases but have caused massive problems for business, health care workers and families in need of medical attention.
And thousands of Australians remain stranded overseas faced with a cap on international arrivals, soaring ticket prices and quarantine costs.
So, who’s got the power when it counts? Are we getting the balance right when it comes to restricting free travel in the name of public health?
Joining me on the panel:
Michael McCormack, Nationals Leader and Deputy Prime Minister
Kristina Keneally, Shadow Home Affairs Minister
Dr Omar Khorshid, Australian Medical Association President
Kim Rubenstein, Legal scholar and citizenship expert
Tania de Jong, Entrepreneur and soprano
Please submit a question via our website by 9am Monday for the chance to ask the panel.
Each week I'll be selecting my top question to highlight in the newsletter, along with a classic Q+A moment.
Keep scrolling to watch Monday's toughest question asked by Simon Forbes from Alice Springs and my classic moment of a touching act of generosity during the pandemic. 👇
Watch Q+A Monday 9.35pm on ABC TV, streamed live 9.35pm AEST on ABC iview or on our website.
Looking forward to hearing your questions.
Hamish Macdonald
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| Get to know the panellists |
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| Dr Omar Khorshid says the Australian Medical Association is "strongly supportive of hotel quarantine," and that "it's a critical part of that border control strategy." | | LEARN MORE |
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| In April, Alexander Downer questioned the constitutional validity of state border restrictions. Professor of constitutional and citizenship law at the University of Canberra Kim Rubenstein joins Monday's panel - what will you ask her? | | LEARN MORE |
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| Speaking to The Australian, social entrepreneur Tania de Jong asked if closing international borders would isolate Australia, and "bring back the tyranny of distance which so long inhibited the development of Australia?” | | LEARN MORE |
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| How can the social issues that underpin the over-representation of Indigenous Australians in incarceration be addressed? | | WATCH NOW | |
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| Q+A drew on the collective wisdom of some highly respected Australians. How do their life experiences shape what they take away from the COVID-19 crisis? | | WATCH NOW | |
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| Kerry O'Brien says Australia is already "starting to see the polarisation and the breakdowns that are manifestly evident in the United States." | | WATCH NOW | |
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| Sydney restaurateur Jack Anuwat was providing free meals to students who are struggling to make ends meet. Sadly, as the students and tourists have mostly disappeared from the area, Jack has since closed his doors for good. | | WATCH NOW | |
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