Scott Morrison fires a shot at Daniel Andrews as he blasts Melbourne's 'extreme lockdowns' and vows to keep Australia open: 'Freedom must never be taken from us again' Melbourne residents suffered longest cumulative lockdown in the world Premier Daniel Andrews imposed some of toughest rules across the globe Scott Morrison on Wednesday described the restrictions as 'extreme' 'The taste of freedom. It must never be taken from us again,' he said in speech By Charlie Moore, Political Reporter For Daily Mail Australia Published: 23:00 GMT, 9 November 2021 | Updated: 23:04 GMT, 9 November 2021 Viewcomments Scott Morrison has blasted Melbourne's 'extreme lockdowns' and declared freedom 'must never be taken from us again'. Five million Melbourne residents were last month released from the longest cumulative lockdown in the world, having been confined to their homes for 262 days, or nearly nine months, since March 2020. Premier Daniel Andrews imposed some of the toughest restrictions across the globe including a one-hour-a-day exercise limit, a 5km movement restriction and an 8pm curfew. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne on Sunday Mr Morrison had been careful not to criticise Mr Andrews at the time - but in a speech in Melbourne on Wednesday he revealed his true feelings by describing the rules as 'extreme'. In a message to struggling small businesses, he said: 'You're the ones who've managed the heartache, complexity and frustration of extreme lockdowns and restrictions and staying Covid safe. 'And you are the ones who are now opening your doors again.' 'I also want to thank the people of Victoria,' he added. 'You have had to endure what no-one else in this country has had to endure.' Scott Morrison (pictured giving a speech at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday) has blasted Melbourne's 'extreme lockdowns' Revellers at Monkeys bar in Prahran as Melbourne opens up after lockdown last month. Mr Morrison said 'freedom must never be taken from us again' The Prime Minister said his national re-opening plan, which progressively removes restrictions once vaccination thresholds are met, allows Australia to avoid future lockdowns as long as premiers abide by it. 'The human face of reopening, recovery and renewal is everywhere to see,' he said. 'You see it in the smiles on the faces of small business people, as they pull up the shutters in the morning on their deli, their newsagent or their coffee shop. 'You see it in the hugs at airports, as families reunite across geographies and across generations. 'And you see it in the simplest of pleasures. Friends catching up. Having a beer. Going to restaurants. Strolling around the shops.' Melbourne was heavily policed during its lengthy lockdowns. Pictured: Police make arrests at a protest in the city in October 2021 And in a stark sentence that appeared to blame premiers for taking away Australians' freedoms - even though he prevented them from leaving their own country for 18 months - he added: 'The taste of freedom. It must never be taken from us again.' 'That is why I put the national plan together. A plan based on the best possible medical science and economics to ensure we open safely and stay safely open. 'Australians have kept their side of this deal by getting vaccinated. 'Governments must now keep theirs and return to Australians their freedoms.' What are the four phases of opening up? A. Vaccinate, prepare and pilot (from July 14) Arrival caps cut in half to 3,035 a week; early, stringent and short lockdowns if outbreaks occur; trials of seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals in South Australia; medicare vaccination certificates available on apps like apple wallet B. Post vaccination phase (when 70 per cent are jabbed, expected late this year) Lockdowns less likely but possible'; vaccinated people face reduced restrictions; caps for unvaccinated arrivals increased; a larger cap for vaccinated arrivals with 'reduced quarantine requirements'; capped entry for students and economic visa holders C. Consolidation phase (when 80 per cent are jabbed, time not announced) Lifting all restrictions for outbound travel for vaccinated travellers; no caps for vaccinated arrivals; increased caps for students and visa holders; more travel bubbles being set up with countries such as Singapore; booster shots rolled out D. Final phase (percentage or time not announced) Uncapped arrivals for vaccinated people without any quarantine and uncapped arrivals for unvaccinated people with testing before departure and on arrival Advertisement Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility