The Bounds of the WA Border- Open Letter to Clive

Palmer
5 AUG 2020

Dear Mr. Palmer,

A few weeks ago, I came home from school, and was watching the daily news. I learned of
your intentions to take the Western Australian government to court, for their
"unconstitutional" hard border with all other states.

Over the next few days, I was informed of your interests in WA- your "Sino Iron" project at
Cape Preston in the Pilbara region, and how you were refused entry into the state despite
several attempts. I also learned about how you want to sell your supply of
Hydroxychloroquine, which is said to cure COVID-19, according to US president and
"medical expert" Donald Trump. And as I learned more and more about your intentions, the
more I've agreed with the "name-calling" WA Premier Mark McGowan has aimed at you.

In case you didn't know, the world is currently in a global crisis- COVID-19 is rampaging all
over the world, and although Australia is in a better position than most, we can't be
complacent. Victoria has quite literally collapsed, and other state governments are acting in
the best interest for their respective state.

The WA government has, so far, done excellently to negate the virus after the shaking first
wave, and we would like to keep it like that. So please, put an end to this stupidity.

What you're doing is purely selfish. You claim that WA's hard border with essentially all the
other states of the country violates Section 92 of the constitution, which declares that people
are allowed to move freely around the country, even for trade. But I want to remind you,
Section 92 doesn't comment on changes to these rights during a global pandemic. Section 92
doesn't talk about what should be done if a deadly virus is rampant in the country. Section 92
doesn't consider the welfare of the people in uncertain times.

But then again, who cares about the welfare of people? You just want the border to open, so
people can come into the state and work at your mine. It doesn't matter that the risk of this
virus- which has claimed the lives of more than 700 000 people- leaking into an otherwise
COVID-free WA will increase tenfold, or even hundredfold. After all, we've got to kickstart
the economy, right?

Everyone has had to adapt to this virus, from school children to the federal government. But
for some reason, you think that you are exempt from this. You believe there's no need for you
to adjust in these terrifying times, and that there's no need for you to expand your empire in
other aspects. For some reason, you think that interstate mining and business can continue as
it was pre-COVID. Well, Mr. Palmer, you need to understand that you must change. Move on
from denial. A deadly virus has shaken Australia from the roots, and business methods that
were effective in the past are now dangerous.

And if suppose the border does open, and this virus does leak into WA, I guarantee that you
will be one of the first few people to point fingers. At who exactly? Young people like me, of
course! You and others from your generation will complain that us teenagers and "Millenials"
are reckless, and don't care about their elders, who are most susceptible to the virus. You'll
completely ignore the fact that you yourself were fighting for the border to be opened, so you
could earn some more money from a mine!

Mr. Palmer, I beg you to think towards the future, and the implications your actions can result
in. You need to prioritise between the economy, and the welfare of people in the country.
Opening the border now could lead to the spread of the virus in WA, and the death of several
people. Maybe even some of your friends, or loved ones. Even though the death rate of
COVID-19 is just under 4%, its too high for anyone's liking. Behind all of those 700000+
recorded deaths is a person. A precious life that has been taken by this serial killer. Economic
growth is not worth the risk of potentially losing even one life to COVID. Every single life in
this country is valued, and your mine's "importance" isn't even on the scale. In this day and
age, concerns about the economy are practically worthless.

So please, don't abuse your power. Your position and wealth is influential to several around
the country, and many will believe what you say. Don't turn them against the WA
government. Mark McGowan and his office is merely trying to act in the benefit of West
Australians. He's already overwhelmed by the pressure piled on his shoulders, and I believe
he would appreciate if you stopped poking him like a needle.

Instead of using your power to criticise governments, maybe you should support them. In
fact, being an Australian multi-billionaire, I think you have a duty to assist state and federal
governments, in such worrying times. Maybe donate some of your wealth to ease tensions
implied on the government.

As a concerned West Australian, I request you to withdraw your fight against the WA
government. Don't pursue your self-interest. You already have billions of dollars, and they
aren't going anywhere. In today's date, money shouldn't be your focus. Please think about the
welfare of people.

I believe the latest name Mark McGowan has associated with you is "jerk." Believe me, if
you continue on your path, you'll hear worse from not only Mark, but also others around the
country.

Yours Sincerely,

Arjun Grover