surely the schedule can be cranked up very quickly ? Many people have flights booked already & even if they had to go via AKL or CHC or WLG to get to ZQN, it's not the end of the world.

Noted that VA had around 8 flights a week BNE/ZQN nonstop last winter.

Despite what you Aussies may think there will be NO trans Tasman or Pacific flying involving New Zealand until the New Zealand Government says so.

so we have to wait til 6pm news tonight or "tomorrow" ? NZ deputy PM seems to think it was "yesterday"

Think it's already been decided & they are just working out how to announce it, so they don't look even more stupid (pollies that is)

There is no valid political reason for the QLD border to be opened to NZ before it could be to domestic travel. Which the Premier has said multiple times in the last week, even if no cases, rainbows and butterflies, won't be before July 1.

The deputy PM is playing politics because there is a reasonable chance he will be chucked out on 19 Sep.

The whole cabinet decides, taking into account the "expert advice" and also the increasing mood of the people not to reopen.

Oops - sorry mods - I'm feeding the troll

Much like how you claimed that REX got "Fast Tracked" approval for Jets to be added to their AOC and that they would be starting next year, isn't that right BNEA320?

According to press reports, borders are set to open between WA, SA and NT and possibly QLD in the first stage of openings with the rest to follow afterwards - to be announced within days.

July 1 is my bet for Domestic borders to fall, followed shortly by the bubble. The protests funnily enough have swung the politics. Now the same premiers who looked so tough have been proven to be weak. The protests could also be what ‘stuffs’ it as well.
No doubt Qantas want to have it happen ASAP so they can take advantage of the VA situation. All is fair in love and war.
Rex are probably happy with the status quo

One of the protesters confirmed positive in Melbourne. The protests have undone all the hard work we've put in. Expect second wave in Australia and for interstate borders to remain closed :ugh:

Unbelievable! One wonders how many lives and livelihoods of all races could be in the balance as a result.

Hopefully it could go the other way if there is no or very little spread from this case. Could be the catalyst for opening the borders!

The organizers are now talking about planning mass rallies for refugees.

Even if there were several hundred cases from the protests I still think it should not affect border openings, this thing is here for the long term, we just need to deal with it, there has never been a successful Corona type virus vaccine produced....ever! It mutates too fast just like the normal flu.

Whilst there is ANY community transmission NZ will not be open for business. The small blip in Melbourne will set their chances back Queensland has got a far better chance (which is **** for me as my family are in Melbourne)

Nothing to do with SCOMO, NZ will decide who is allowed in by themselves

And Scomo will decide if Kiwis are allowed in here. Our border is also closed. I don't think the bubble would be only for the benefit of NZ. So it has everything to do with Scomo.

SA has today announced its borders will be open for unrestricted travel on July 20. Don't know about other states. Also stated there might be a relaxation before that with other states with no or little new cases such as WA ,Tas and NT. Problem with Tassie is most people need to travel through Vic or more importantly Melbourne to get here.

Anything mentioned about other Pacific Nations being part of the so called bubble?

Many thanks angryrat, that’s good news.

As much as I want to come home to visit my parents & siblings etc, you do *not* want to open borders to anyone coming from the US. COVID-19 'management' has been utterly abysmal here. It is in no way under control, let alone improving here.