After over four months in exile in Melbourne, I’m pleased to be back in Perth.

My experience over the last few weeks has been interesting to say the least, following the shock decision by Premier Mark McGowan to renege on his promise to Western Australians and the rest of the country to remove the ‘controlled border’ and allow free travel to resume.

Facing an interstate move is daunting enough without the added angst of not knowing for sure whether a G2G pass will be granted. People planning on returning or relocating to Western Australia were told they would have to wait twelve days from the announcement on January 20 until the G2G system was updated on February 1 before they could make their applications.

Luckily, the approval process was relatively quick and painless after that date for returning residents. Although, for those looking to relocate and take up new jobs here, and those falling into non-resident categories, the wait was a bit longer.

My experience was mild compared to the countless stories of separation, despair and anguish faced by many people over these turbulent weeks. These recent border shenanigans are another example of politicians and bureaucrats acting in a manner, as observed recently by Ron Manners AO in his submission to the Ombudsman, akin to second world war bombers who wreak havoc from above:

‘They fly overhead drop their bombs or make their announcements and fly home in time for lunch or a game of golf … if politicians witnessed first-hand all the suffering and anguish unleashed every time, they ‘change the rating of severity of Covid results’, they would be less enthusiastic about their daily announcements.’

Presently, I am self-isolating at home and the recent reprieve granted by the reduction of the isolation period from 14 days to seven is most welcome. It means I can soon be reunited not only with my family and friends, but also with my colleagues at the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation who have been gracious in their accommodation of my remote contributions. This week I will also get to finally meet our 2022 cohort of Mannkal Scholars in person.

With the announcement that Australia’s international border will be fully open (to the vaccinated) on February 21, there is a palpable sense that as a nation we may have turned an important corner. In Western Australia we can only hope that our Premier will soon follow the lead of the other states in allowing us to freely travel both domestically and overseas with certainty that we will be able to come home when we want to.

At Mannkal this is particularly important as we seek, where possible, to give our Scholars opportunities to broaden their horizons. We would dearly love for this to include travel opportunities with our very many international partner organisations.

As always, however, we will continue to adapt to current conditions whatever they may be. Our mission remains that of developing future free-market leaders, and in doing so delivering to our Scholars a rich, informative, educational and developmental experience during their time with us.

To learn more about the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation visit mannkal.org