Why low vaccination rates in WA and Queensland could delay YOUR freedom - as Scott Morrison says we've got to learn to live with the virus

Slow vaccination rates in dissenting states could see Australia's lockdowns and restrictions extended as the national stand-off between leaders continues.

Queensland and Western Australia are languishing behind the rest of the country on jab rates as the two premiers refuse to co-operate with the federal government and other states on the four-phase plan led by The Doherty Institute to end lockdowns.

The two states are reneging on their promise to ease restrictions for good once the 70 and 80 per cent vaccination marks for the country are hit, arguing the recent NSW outbreak has changed the situation.

Western Australia aren't expect to reach 80 per cent until November 29 while Queensland aren't on track to reach the figure until December 28 making it near impossible for residents to make Christmas plans interstate.

Slow vaccination rates of dissenting states could see Australia's lockdowns and restrictions extended as the national stand-off between leaders continues

QLD and QA are now turning their back on the plan to unlock the country, as Scott Morrison argues we must learn to live with the virus or face being 'stuck in the cave forever'

National cabinet meetings between the prime minister and state leaders have now seen QLD and WA's governments go rogue as their infamously stubborn leaders dig their heels in.

Both Mark McGowan and Annastacia Palaszczuk have drawn national criticism for their willingness to shut out the rest of the country and operate under myopic legislation. 

The latest trend sees the states now turning their back on the agreed four-stage plan to unlock the country, as Scott Morrison argues we must learn to live with the virus or face being 'stuck in the cave forever'.

'If not at 70 per cent and 80 per cent, then when? We must make that move and we must prepare to make that move and we must prepare the country to make that move,' the prime minister said during Monday's national cabinet meeting.

'We have to break this cycle. The national plan is the way to cut through and for us to emerge from that. This groundhog day has to end, and it will end when we start getting to 70 per cent and 80 per cent.'

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 

'Just because the NSW government has made a mess of it doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer,' Premier McGowan said

Senior Queensland official said the state are ignoring NSW's vaccination numbers and won't even consider re-opening borders until infection numbers are extremely low

NSW's accelerated vaccination program has the eastern state on track to reach 70 per cent by October 29 and 80 per cent on November 16.

They are narrowly ahead of Victoria who will reach 70 and 80 per cent on November 3 and 21 respectively if current trends remain.

WA however aren't on track to reach 70 per cent until November 11, with 80 per cent expected to come in the final day or two of the month.

QLD are the worst performing state in Australia, with 70 per cent not expected to come in till December 4, with 80 per cent barely being hit before the new year with a prediction of December 28.

These figures are alarming because they delay the potential for state borders to come down as part of the second and third stages of the four-stage plan and ensure people can visit family and even holiday in the summer months.

While the PM urges the states to get onboard, WA and QLD say they are more interested in infection numbers rather than vaccination rates and won't re-open their borders until those numbers are extremely low.

'Just because the NSW government has made a mess of it doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer,' Premier McGowan said. 

'My view is we should do everything we can to stay in the state we are currently in, and at the same time vaccinate like hell.' 

WA and QLD are languishing behind the rest of the country in vaccination rates as the two myopic state refuse to co-operate on the already agreed upon plan

The Australian reported senior QLD officials aren't considering dropping border closures until the case numbers are low or even gone, and aren't interested in vaccination rates in NSW. 

Christmas and New Year plans are now in serious danger as states refuse to participate in the already agreed national plan. 

'We must adjust our mindset,' Morrison said.

'Cases will not be the issue once we get above 70 per cent. Dealing with serious illness, hospitalisation, ICU capabilities, our ability to respond in those circumstances - that will be our goal. 

'And we will live with this virus as we live with other infectious diseases.'