Almost 160,000 applications from people wanting a G2G pass to enter Western Australia have been knocked back since the beginning of January, the state government has revealed.
Responding to questions in Parliament yesterday, Premier Mark McGowan said at least 159,268 applications had been denied since the start of the year.
His response came after the WA Opposition returned from the parliamentary winter break with the G2G system high on its agenda, arguing there was little clarity surrounding how it functioned.
A G2G pass is now a requirement to enter WA, regardless of whether you have been in a COVID-affected state or not.
If not, they are generally approved without issue.
In total, 1,050,884 applications to enter WA have been made since January 1 and 891,616 have been approved.
But for those who find themselves on the east coast, which is mostly locked out of WA by hard borders, there seems to be little joy found in attempts to come home.
A common complaint, especially among those trying to return on what they believe are compassionate grounds, is that their applications are rejected with next to no explanation of why.
Dongara couple stuck in Queensland
A WA couple from Dongara, Hugh Campbell, 65, and Geraldine Pover, 66, found themselves stuck in regional Queensland despite an urgent need to be in Busselton where Ms Pover's sister was dying.
"It is just so frustrating that you can't talk to a human being anymore," Mr Campbell said.
The couple had been on a once-in-a-lifetime reunion road trip with friends who, 20 years ago, crossed the nation in Chamberlain tractors.
Recreating the journey, they started in Canberra but bypassed Byron Bay once the NSW outbreak escalated.
They have spent the last three weeks travelling through western Queensland, more than 300 kilometres from Brisbane.
But two days ago Ms Pover got word that breast cancer was getting the better of her 62-year-old sister, Jane Devereux, and that she had just a few days to live.
The couple began urgently trying to make their way home so Ms Pover could be by her sister and with her family.
But a G2G application, complete with supporting letters from her sister's doctors, was rejected and the couple spent more than a day trying to get some answers as to how they could get approved.
Final push too late
Ms Pover said she just wished she could talk to a real person at WA Police to get some answers.
"If I could, I would say I haven't been in any hot spots and I have a real reason", she said before being overcome with emotion.
Last night the couple finally managed to speak with someone via the 13-COVID hotline who they said was helpful.
But that phone call was followed by one from home bringing the news that it was too late and Ms Pover's sister had died.
The couple were still hopeful they could fly from Alice Springs to Perth on Monday to be with family, but early this morning they had their G2G pass denied again.
