West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has angered critics by welcoming the English cricket team in January, despite making no move to allow interstate travel.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told Jim Wilson he “really wants” Perth to host the fifth Ashes Test, but called on the state to reopen its border as soon as possible.

“Out of a sense of compassion … I want people to be able to reunite.

“We would like to see them set a date for our cardiac and cancer patients to have the same rights as our cricketers.

“By this time next week, they should be well over 70 per cent double-dosed.”

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