CCIWA CEO

Chris Rodwell

CCIWA strongly welcomes the State Government’s recommitment to open WA’s borders from 3 March 2022 and its practical approach to health restrictions applying to WA businesses. Its decision will provide huge relief to thousands of WA businesses seeking certainty on managing their operations, particularly those that rely on accessing markets elsewhere in our nation and the world.

The announcement is a clear indication that the Government has positively responded to CCIWA’s calls for greater clarity for businesses. Since June 2020, CCIWA has sought to secure a clear roadmap for our reopening. The detail for that roadmap – whether it relates to the opening date, health restrictions, isolation, or testing – is now substantially in place.

Each of these commitments represents a significant achievement by CCIWA on behalf of our members. It will be a huge weight lifted for many businesses, and will begin to ease the uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, higher costs and chronic worker shortages experienced by WA businesses and the economy during this pandemic.

We also welcome the decision by the State Government to develop a package of financial support for businesses impacted through the transition phase. We stand ready to cooperate with the Government on the package design. It’s important it apply to all businesses suffering a decline in business activity through this phase and does not discriminate based on sector. The Government should also look to broaden the eligibility of its existing Industry Support Package, which applies to a limited range of businesses negatively impacted due to the delay in the February 5 border reopening.

We note the decision to allow only triple dosed interstate travellers, with a G2G pass, and the additional requirement of a rapid antigen test (RAT) to be conducted within 12 hours of arrival. We recommend that this requirement is reviewed as we transition through the next phase as it still creates a barrier for tourists and others to visit the State.