Domestic travel could resume in time for Christmas holidays: PM

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that Australians may be able to enjoy the Christmas break with an interstate holiday.

At the NSW Bush Summit in Cooma, south of Canberra, Mr Morrison was asked if travel would resume by December to aid the struggling tourism industry.

“I believe we can, domestically,” he responded.

“I'd love to say we could do it internationally but I don't think I can give you that pledge internationally. I hope that changes but based on the current evidence that doesn't look likely.”

The Prime Minister said domestic travel would only be an option if the number of coronavirus cases continue to decline, particularly in Victoria and NSW.

Victoria registered 113 new cases of the virus on Friday. It's the fifth straight day the number has been below 150 and is the lowest figure since July 5. However, the state recorded another 12 fatalities.

NSW has recorded 13 new cases, with four schools closed and the Sydney CBD gym cluster increasing to 14 infections.

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PM keen for international travel bubble with Pacific and Asia

While Mr Morrison couldn’t give an indication of when international travel will be back in the air, he did list several countries interested in a travel bubble with Australia.

“I'm keen to get the New Zealand travel bubble back in place, and I'm sure we'll take that up again soon,” he said.

“I'd like to see that also if we can, amongst the Pacific nations, they're keen to do that. Japan is trying to do it with us, Singapore is keen to do it with us. And there are a number of nations that are happy to do this with us.

“I can see that as the next stage, but right now we're trying to get the domestic borders open.”

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