Scott Morrison has demanded state leaders open borders when vaccination rates hit 80 per cent to allow families to reunite at Christmas.
The prime minister said he could not see any reason why Australians should be kept cooped up in their states after the milestone set by the national reopening plan.
'There comes a time when you just got to move on and get on with it,' he told Weekend Sunrise on Sunday.
'You've got to honour the arrangement you've made with the Australian people and that is once you get to 80 per cent vaccination, it is very clear that you can start opening up.'
Mr Morrison rebuked Queensland and Western Australian premiers Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mark McGowan for their refusal to open their borders on time.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged state leaders to open borders when vaccination rates hit 80 per cent
Ms Palaszczuk previously said she would like more research into the effect of Covid-19 on children before lifting border restrictions.
Similarly, Mr McGowan has shown resistance towards the targets agreed upon at national cabinet and said his borders are unlikely to open before Easter 2022.
While Mr Morrison admitted it was likely people would still have to check in to venues using QR codes and wear masks in some settings for a while, he demanded the rebel premiers give people 'their lives back'.
'I think that puts the big challenge on the premiers. I mean, they've had the power to do what they've been doing. They're not new powers. They've always had them, he said.
'Once you get to 80 per cent of your population that's vaccinated, it's very clear. I can't see any reason why Australians should be kept from each other.
'[Reopening by Christmas] is within the gift of governments. And that's a gift I'd like to see us give them.'
Queensland premier has been reluctant and said she wants research into the effect of Covid-19 in children. Pictured: Police at a truck stop on the Qld border
Pictured: People wearing face masks in Perth. WA premier Mark McGowan is also reluctant to re-open borders
Mr Morrison said he was eager to move Australia to a largely post-pandemic footing as soon as possible with vaccination rates into the 80s and 90s not far off.
'We can't stay in second gear,' he said. 'We've got to get to top gear in
