Alan Jones has demanded Gladys Berejiklian resign as premier, calling her 'power hungry, stubborn and out of touch,' in a fiery tirade.
The outspoken Sky News host slammed the NSW leader for stating that even when 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated against Covid-19, it does not necessarily mean the state will emerge from lockdown.
'The extent of your freedom depends on the case numbers,' Ms Berejiklian said on Monday as she announced a record 478 new locally-acquired cases and eight deaths.
'Even if you get to 80 per cent double doses, if the case numbers are very high it does limit what you can do.'
Alan Jones has demanded Gladys Berejiklian resign as premier, calling her 'power hungry, stubborn and out of touch,' in a fiery tirade.
Jones declared in an angry monologue on his self-titled TV show that the state premier 'cannot go on asking people to live like this'.
'Gladys resign from the Liberal Party today. You are not fit for purpose,' he said in his rant.
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'We desperately need a fresh pair of eyes on the situation, not a power hungry, stubborn and completely out-of-touch politician.'
The shock-jock turned TV host said the Premier's press conference appearances have turned 'negative, aggressive and almost bad-tempered'.
'Gladys, people have stopped listening to you and this daily dose of rubbish,' Jones said.
'We are not in this together. The political and bureaucratic class collect full salary while inflicting devastation on others.
'A decent person would feel some sense of shame.'
NSW police are seen issuing fines to a group of three women who broke the NSW health orders by congregating in a group of three, all of whom where unconnected to the same household
Jones declared in an angry monologue on his self-titled TV show that 'we cannot go on asking people to live like this' (pictured, a Sydneysider takes a stroll on Bondi Beach on Tuesday)
Australian Defence Force personnel assist people as they check into the Qudos Bank Arena for vaccinations on Tuesday with the army also assisting police with Covid compliance
In the same breath, Jones also took a brutal swipe at Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan, who has insisted on a hard-line Covid policy.
'Over in WA we've got this power-drunk premier McGowan pursuing a zero transmission strategy,' Jones said.
The issue of doing away with Covid lockdowns and interstate border closures has been a hot-button political topic over the past 48 hours after Mr McGowan broke ranks with the national cabinet's stance.
The Western Australia Premier said his state would not hesitate to shut its border with the rest of Australia if future Covid cases emerge - even if national vaccine targets are reached.
His comments ignited a war of words with Scott Morrison who lashed out at Mr McGowan's Covid-zero plan, saying it is unreasonable and would hurt the economy.
Police on horseback patrol Bondi Beach in Sydney on Tuesday with millions enduring the brutal lockdown which has divided the nation
Jones (pictured, left) also took a brutal swipe at WA Premier Mark McGowan , calling him drunk on power
Australian Defence Force personnel assist people as they check into the Qudos Bank Arena NSW Health COVID-19 Vaccination Centre in Sydney Australia, 16 August 2021
'What happens in Phase B when you hit 70 per cent, which is based on the best medical and economic advice available to all leaders in Australia... once you hit those levels, it is neither in our health or economic interests to be going down that path,' the Prime Minister said.
'The national plan that everyone has signed up to, it's actually a commitment they've made to the Australian people and people in their own states about the pathway out.
'That pathway out is important, because it's encouraging people to get vaccinated, and so to run down the plan is to actually undermine the vaccination program.'
Mr McGowan on Monday returned fire outlining a different interpretation of the national plan, projected by the Doherty Institute.
'I've got the roadmap here. It says lockdowns at 80 per cent, just so you know,' the Premier said.
'I think people need to read it.
'It says lockdowns are possible at 80 per cent vaccination. It says the same thing at 70 per cent vaccination.'
ALL THE CHANGES TO GREATER SYDNEY'S LOCKDOWN STARTING 00.01 MONDAY
What rules are changing?
* Travel radius for residents of Greater Sydney reduced from 10km to 5km
* Those eligible for the singles bubble must register their companion online
* Residents are also unable to visit their second homes except for under special circumstances - and you will need a permit
* Those living in Greater Sydney must be given a permit to leave the region
* $320 payment plan for those having to isolate while awaiting test results and are unable to work will also be set up
What can I be fined for?
* $5,000 fines for breaching quarantine, lying on a permit or to contact tracers
* $3,000 fines for breaching two-person exercise limit, breaching work rules and wrongfully entering regional NSW
* $3,000 fines will also be dished out to those who enter someone else's home if it's not for essential care or as part of a singles bubble
Where can I exercise?
Essential shopping and exercise must be done in a resident's LGA or, if you must travel outside your LGA to do so, it must be within 5km of your home
What about policing?
* 500 extra ADF personnel will patrol alongside NSW Police, with checkpoints increased on key roads
* New checkpoints will be set up to check drivers at random in certain key areas
* Riot squads and highway patrol officers will be present in LGAs of concern
* These LGAs are Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and parts of Penrith
Source: NSW Government
