Berejiklian and McGowan erupt into war of words12/01/2021|4min A war of words has erupted between state Premiers Gladys Berejiklian and Mark McGowan after the Western Australian leader criticised the NSW government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Premier McGowan recently said the Berejiklian government needs to “stop playing whack-a-mole” following the December outbreak in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, advocating an elimination-style approach to crushing coronavirus numbers. Premier Berejiklian has since said there needs to be respect between state leaders, conversely opting for a method of coronavirus management which “doesn’t overburden our citizens every single day”. “I don’t believe keeping your borders closed and inflicting pain and suffering on thousands of people is the way to go,” Ms Berejiklian said.