The McGowan Government must come clean on their Omicron modelling following new analysis suggesting the indefinite hard border will cost more lives.
Professor George Milne has backed up the calls from the Opposition to open on or before March 5.
Professor Milne’s expertise in infectious diseases modelling has seen him undertake work with state and federal health departments and the World Health Organisation to help determine policies and vaccine rollouts.
According to his Independent analysis the death rate from Covid would increase for every month following February 5, raising concern about the waning immunity of our most vulnerable.
It also highlights the fact that the booster rate is not increasing fast enough to counter the waning immunity from second and booster doses across the Western Australian community.
“The UWA infectious disease modelling confirms that the WA hard border has served its purpose and it could now be costing lives,” said Shadow for Health Libby Mettam.
“It also reinforces concerns raised by the Chief Health Officer, AMA and other leaders in our community that the Premier’s decision to delay the border creates new health risks.
“Given the chorus of concerns raised about waning immunity for our most vulnerable and the upcoming flu season it’s clear the hard border needs to be removed sooner rather than later.
“The Premier needs to commit to opening on the 5th of March or earlier in the best interests of the health and livelihoods of Western Australians who have overwhelmingly stepped up over the last 2 years.
“The McGowan Government must also provide clarity and transparency and release the Omicron modelling on which they are justifying their decisions.
“To continue to withhold such data raises serious questions about the content of the modelling and the basis for these decisions.
“While the Minister for Health is able to determine the 28 February for cuts to elective surgery it’s extraordinary they have shown little interest or urgency in providing their own modelling that the border backflip was supposedly based on.
“This decision has impacted lives and livelihoods and it’s disappointing the McGowan Government do not feel the need to provide any transparency around this decision.”
